Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) enjoys a significant financial edge over his Republican challengers in the contest for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat.
The Democrat accumulated $3.3 million in campaign funds during the first quarter, aiming to take over from the retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Facing minimal competition for his party’s nomination, Pappas began April with $4.2 million in his campaign coffers, as detailed in his Federal Election Commission filing.
Leading his GOP contenders, John E. Sununu brought in $1.1 million for his campaign and held nearly $1.9 million in cash reserves. His expenditure was just $349,000, according to his filing, showcasing a much lower spending rate compared to Pappas, who used up $2.3 million over the same period.
Sununu’s primary opponent, Scott Brown, was even further behind. Brown raised $321,000, ending the quarter with $783,000 in campaign funds. He spent more than he raised, as per his filing.
In hypothetical general election polls, Pappas leads both potential Republican opponents, although his lead over Sununu is narrower.
Sununu, with backing from the national GOP establishment and President Donald Trump in a state Republicans aim to turn, holds a significant lead over Brown, a former Trump ambassador, in GOP primary polls.
