Compare candidates running in this New Hampshire federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.
Party: Independent
Party: Republican
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Party: Democrat
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This open seat in a slightly blue state is crucial for Senate control. With New Hampshire backing Democrats in federal elections but Republicans controlling state government, the race could determine narrow Senate majorities.
Matt Giovonizzi is running as an Independent candidate in the general election (not participating in primary). He is described as a software account director and progressive activist. Limited campaign information is publicly available beyond basic biographical descriptor.
Charlie Hough is a Republican candidate running in the 2026 primary but has extremely limited public information available. Appears as a minor candidate in polling (registering at 1% or less) compared to frontrunners Sununu and Brown. No detailed campaign platform, voting record, or professional background information is publicly available through major news outlets or official sources.
Tejasinha Sivalingam is a Republican candidate who ran unsuccessfully for the GOP Senate nomination in 2022 against Maggie Hassan. Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, he holds a B.A. from Alma College (2003) and an M.A. from Goddard College (2012). Professionally, he works as a landlord and property manager. Sivalingam has limited prior political experience, having served as Selectman in Ashland, New Hampshire. His political platform emphasizes individual rights, state sovereignty, and U.S. independence, with particular focus on medical freedom and vaccine choice advocacy since 2018. He positions himself as a libertarian-oriented conservative emphasizing freedom over government mandates.
Karishma Manzur is a scientist with a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology who is running her first campaign for elected office. She is an Exeter, New Hampshire resident who has researched illnesses including Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. Manzur has extensive experience as a progressive activist and volunteer, serving with New Hampshire Peace Action, Open Democracy, and as a member of the New Hampshire Democratic Party Rules Committee. She entered the Democratic primary in August 2025 as a progressive challenger to frontrunner Chris Pappas, positioning herself to the left on issues like healthcare (Medicare for All), immigration (abolishing ICE), and foreign policy (Palestinian rights). Her campaign emphasizes grassroots organizing, individual donations (no PAC money), and representing overlooked working-class and immigrant communities.
Scott Brown is a former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2010-2013) and former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017-2020) under President Trump. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he brings military service (nearly 40 years in uniform) and a populist, Trump-aligned political brand. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the New Hampshire Senate seat in 2014, losing to incumbent Jeanne Shaheen. Brown entered the 2026 race in June 2025 as the first major Republican candidate, positioning himself as a pragmatic conservative and Trump supporter. Despite support from NRSC early on, he has been eclipsed by Sununu's later entry and Trump's subsequent endorsement of Sununu. Brown is determined to stay in the race despite pressure and polling disadvantages.
John E. Sununu is a former U.S. Senator (2003-2009) and three-term congressman (1997-2003) from New Hampshire attempting a political comeback. Born September 10, 1964, in Boston, he is the son of former Governor and White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu and older brother of former Governor Chris Sununu. Trained as an engineer with an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, Sununu has spent nearly two decades in the private sector, including as an adjunct senior policy advisor at major lobbying firm Akin Gump. He is a self-described pragmatist and Arab-American (with Palestinian heritage) who emphasizes bipartisan problem-solving. President Trump endorsed Sununu in February 2026, calling him an 'America First Patriot,' and the National Republican Senatorial Committee backs his candidacy.
Chris Pappas is a U.S. Representative from New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District since 2019. Born and raised in Manchester, he is the first openly gay U.S. House member elected from New Hampshire and co-owns his family's iconic Puritan Backroom Restaurant. A Harvard graduate, he previously served on New Hampshire's Executive Council (2013-2019) and in the state House (2003-2007). He has positioned himself as a centrist, occasionally breaking with his party on high-profile votes. In 2024, he won reelection to the House with 54% of the vote.
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Pappas campaign has not directly attacked Manzur by name but emphasizes his endorsements from major Democratic figures (Shaheen, Hassan, Kuster, Lynch) and his seniority in Congress.
Pappas campaign focuses on consolidating Democratic primary support; does not engage in direct attacks on Manzur.
GOP labeled Manzur as a 'far-left Democrat' entering the race; used her candidacy as evidence that Pappas is struggling to consolidate party support.
Republican National Committee statement during Manzur's August 2025 announcement; attempt to create narrative of Democratic weakness.
Brown is a 'never Trump, corporate lobbyist' and political carpetbagger; Sununu attacked his lobbying work and outsider status.
Sununu's response to Brown's primary challenge in 2026; attempted to define Brown as establishment figure.
Brown 'stands with corporate special interests, supports efforts to strip away health care coverage from tens of thousands of Granite Staters, and backs President Trump's reckless tariffs.' Later stated 'While Scott Brown looks for yet another opportunity to do Wall Street's bidding and blindly support President Trump and his agenda, I'll always put New Hampshire first.'
Pappas campaign response to Brown's announcement in June 2025; defines Brown as corporate-aligned and reckless.
Called Brown's candidacy an 'embarrassing recruitment failure' for Republicans and noted Granite Staters 'have already rejected' him (2014 loss).
Democratic national committee response to Brown's June 2025 announcement.
Sununu is a 'never Trump, corporate lobbyist who hasn't won an election in a quarter century.' Alluding to family political dynasty, Brown says 'Senate seats are earned, not handed down.'
Brown's statement in October 2025 after Sununu announced; attempted to position himself as Trump-aligned versus Sununu as establishment.
Sununu 'went to Washington almost thirty years ago, then cashed in, making millions selling out to corporations and working for Big Oil, Big Pharma, and Wall Street while the people of New Hampshire paid the price.' Claims he only wants to return to 'sell out New Hampshire to the same corporations and special interests.'
Democratic response to Sununu's Senate campaign launch; attacks his post-Senate private sector career.
Endorsement of Trump by Sununu 'confirms what people in New Hampshire have known for decades: John Sununu will sell out Granite Staters to advance his political career.'
Pappas campaign manager Rachel Petri response to Trump's February 2026 Sununu endorsement.
Characterized Chris Pappas as continuing 'to serve Washington's Democrat party bosses' while 'John E. Sununu is a respected leader and a trusted voice for New Hampshire whose candidacy instantly expands the Senate map.'
Super PAC attack on Pappas and endorsement of Sununu in October 2025.
Pappas supports biological males competing in women's sports, wants to ban gas-powered vehicles, and voted to raise taxes on hard-working Granite Staters.
NRSC statement in April 2025 calling Pappas 'extremely out of touch' and saying families deserve better.
Pappas stands with corporate special interests, supports efforts to strip away healthcare coverage from tens of thousands of Granite Staters, and backs Trump's reckless tariffs.
Brown's campaign attack in June 2025; Pappas responded that Brown 'looks for opportunities to do Wall Street's bidding.'
Pappas has never co-sponsored Medicare for All; voted to approve billions in weapons transfers to Israel; taken significant funding from pro-Israel lobbying groups; only wants to reform ICE, not abolish it.
Progressive challenge from left in Democratic primary highlighting policy differences on healthcare, foreign policy, and immigration.
Sununu has been making millions selling out to corporations and working for special interests.
Response to Sununu's Senate campaign launch in October 2025.
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