Greek-American Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas said he is taking nothing for granted in his campaign for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, warning that the closely contested race against former Republican Sen. John Sununu could help determine which party controls the chamber after the November 3 midterm elections.
Speaking Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Pappas acknowledged the challenges of campaigning in a politically competitive state, despite projections that currently favor Democrats.
“I’m hopeful about where we’re going to end up at the end of this thing, but we’ve got to put in the work over the next 23 days,” Pappas said.
Pappas, who has represented New Hampshire in the House of Representatives since 2019, is seeking the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
He said his campaign was concentrating on independent voters, mobilizing Democrats and reaching Republicans willing to cross party lines.
“We’re taking nothing for granted,” he said, noting that New Hampshire does not offer early voting and that its 2016 Senate election was decided by just over 1,000 votes.
Pappas Links Sununu to Trump’s Agenda
Pappas described his opponent as an established political figure whose family has played a prominent role in New Hampshire politics.
“I’m up against a candidate with a very famous political pedigree in New Hampshire. He’s been a U.S. senator before,” Pappas said. “But this isn’t about going back to the failed politicians with failed ideas from the past, it’s about looking ahead to the future.”
Sununu, the son of former Gov. John H. Sununu and brother of former Gov. Chris Sununu, served in the Senate until losing his reelection bid to Shaheen in 2008.
Although Sununu has distanced himself from President Donald Trump, Pappas argued that his election would strengthen the Republican majority and limit congressional oversight of the administration.
“He’s on the ballot through candidates like John Sununu, who will maintain his majority in the U.S. Senate,” Pappas said, referring to Trump’s assertion that voters should treat the midterms as a referendum on his presidency.
Asked about Democratic priorities if the party gains control of Congress, Pappas emphasized economic issues, including housing affordability, energy prices and healthcare.
“We have to focus like a laser on the economic challenges that people are living right now,” he said.
“We have to put some wins on the board for workers and the middle class.”
Pappas called for increased investment in affordable housing, efforts to end the war involving Iran and lower energy costs, and the reversal of healthcare cuts affecting New Hampshire residents.
On immigration, he rejected calls for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, instead advocating stronger oversight and reforms to prevent abuses while maintaining immigration enforcement.
“We got to find every point of leverage we possibly can to rein in the disgusting abuses we have seen from ICE,” he said.
He stressed the importance of targeting serious criminal offenders while protecting due process rights and respecting immigrant communities.
A Greek-American Voice in Congress
Pappas is among the prominent Greek-American members of Congress who have consistently supported issues of concern to Greece, Cyprus and the Greek-American community.
During his congressional tenure, he has advocated stronger U.S.-Greece relations, closer cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean and policies supporting regional security.
He has also been associated with congressional efforts addressing Cyprus and Greek-American priorities, making his Senate candidacy significant for the community’s representation in Washington.
A victory in November would move Pappas from the House to the Senate, giving the Greek-American community another voice in the upper chamber of Congress.
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