WILL CHRIS PAPPAS BECOME NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FIRST OPENLY GAY US SENATOR?

Oscar Lakowicz

He/Him

Contributor

5/1/25

Chris Pappas made history back in 2019 when he was elected as the first openly gay congressman from New Hampshire. Pappas has been serving his community for over twenty years, first entering the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 2002 and serving until 2006. Pappas later became the Treasurer of Hillsborough County serving in the role for four years. Later in 2013, Pappas became a member of the executive council.

Following Jeanne Shaheen’s announcement that she would not be seeking re-election in the US Senate, Representative Pappas quickly announced his bid. Pappas is currently the only Democrat who has officially announced a bid for the seat. Although candidates still have a while to jump into the race, many prominent names have already sworn off running.

One competitive name Democrats feared may make an unfortunate return was Chris Sununu. Sununu formerly served as New Hampshire Governor for four consecutive terms before announcing he would not be seeking re-election in 2024. His decision to not seek re-election did not come as a surprise to many, with some speculating that he may be getting ready for a US Senate race. On April 7th on ‘Good Morning New Hampshire,’ Sununu announced that despite significant consideration, he would not be running for US Senate.

Although Sununu may not be seeking the seat, another notable Republican in New Hampshire may be primed to take his place. Frank Edelblut, the former State Representative, former Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, and second place winner of the New Hampshire 2016 gubernatorial Republican primary by just nine-hundred votes, may be just the candidate republicans are looking for. Edelblut has proven that his name can appeal to New Hampshire Republicans, nearly beating out Sununu in 2016. Edelblut lacks the diversity of experience that Pappas has, however an endorsement from both Chris Sununu and Kelly Ayotte may be enough to outweigh that fact. Edelblut, of course, comes with his own plethora of controversies including pushing his conservative agenda onto school boards in an intended ‘nonpartisan’ role as commissioner of NH’s DOE. Book bans and administrative overstep have made Edelblut unpopular with many moderates. Edelblut has currently not announced any plans to run, but has also refrained from suggesting against it.

Another, far lesser-known competitor, is Tejasinha Sivalingam. Sivalingam has previously served on the Ashland Zoning Board of Adjustment as well as the Ashland Board of Selectmen. In 2022, Sivalingam unsuccessfully ran for U.S Senate and has made multiple attempts at becoming a NH House Representative. Sivalingam currently ‘works’ as a landlord and is selfemployed as an Ayurvedic alternative health educator. Sivalingham is currently the only republican running in this race.

If Chris Pappas is able to fend off Republican competition, and no further Democrats throw their hats into the race, then it would seem the future ahead looks bright for Pappas and he could very well become New Hampshire’s first openly gay US Senator.