Support for a progressive candidate has surged in the race to overtake front-runner Representative Chris Pappas in New Hampshire’s closely watched Democratic Senate primary, according to a new poll. Pappas, a four-term representative who has historically drawn support from New Hampshire’s Democratic establishment, now leads progressive Democrat Karishma Manzur, a first-time candidate and medical scientist, by 13 points among likely Democratic primary voters. The findings come from the Granite State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, released Wednesday.
The latest polling, from August 20 to August 24, found 47 percent support Pappas, compared with 34 percent for Manzur, while 18 percent remain undecided. The race has tightened considerably over the past year. A Granite State Poll in September showed Pappas leading Manzur by a whopping 51 points, 65 percent to 14 percent, while 20 percent of likely Democratic primary voters were undecided.
The race is being closely watched as Republicans seek to flip the seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Newsweek reached out to the campaigns of Pappas and Manzur for comment. The poll results come amid a string of primary victories for progressive and anti-establishment Democratic candidates across the country this election cycle.
Pappas has represented New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District since 2019. He won reelection in 2022 against Karoline Leavitt, the outgoing White House press secretary, with 54 percent of the vote to her 45.9 percent. Manzur has mounted a grassroots, small-dollar campaign with a platform focused on reducing corporate influence in politics and expanding access to healthcare and childcare.
On the Republican side, former Senator John Sununu holds a commanding lead over former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, with 60 percent of likely Republican primary voters backing him compared with 20 percent for Brown, while 17 percent are undecided. Sununu has strengthened his position considerably over the past year. In September, he led Brown 42 percent to 19 percent.
The former senator also performed strongly among moderate and libertarian voters, the poll found. Sununu is statistically tied with Pappas in a general election matchup, the poll found. The hypothetical showdown has also seen shifts during the past year.
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