Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) holds a significant financial advantage over his Republican opponents in the contest for New Hampshire’s vacant Senate seat.
In the first quarter of the year, the Democrat collected $3.3 million for his campaign as he seeks to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Pappas, facing little competition for the Democratic nomination, began April with $4.2 million available, as indicated by his Federal Election Commission filing.
Among Pappas’ Republican competitors, John E. Sununu stands out, having raised $1.1 million for his campaign and maintaining nearly $1.9 million in available funds. Sununu’s campaign expenditures amounted to $349,000, according to his filing, which is considerably less than Pappas’ spending of $2.3 million over the same period.
Another Republican contender, Scott Brown, is even further behind. Brown raised $321,000 and started the second quarter with $783,000 in his campaign account. His expenses exceeded his fundraising, according to his filing.
Pappas is ahead of both GOP opponents in hypothetical general election polls, although his lead over Sununu is narrower.
Sununu, supported by the national GOP establishment and President Donald Trump, shows a strong lead over Brown, a former Trump ambassador, in Republican primary polls.
