The 2026 New Hampshire primary election is quickly approaching and will feature some competitive races that could have implications for the control of the U.S. Congress.
This year, there are competitive races for two rare open seats: several candidates are vying on both sides for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and for the U.S. House seat currently held by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., who is running for Senate.
There are also contested primaries for the other House seat, and Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte faces a challenger.
Here’s USA TODAY’s guide to what matters.
U.S. Senate: Pappas vs Manzur
Pappas is looking to succeed Shaheen, but he faces a primary challenge from the left from scientist Karishma Manzur.
Polls show Pappas safely in the lead. However, Manzur has gained momentum since entering as a first-time, unknown candidate, and if she performs well it could indicate where Democratic voters’ heads are at and potentially impact Pappas’s performance in the general election.
The other candidates who will be on the ballot in the Democratic primary include David Jarvis of Manchester, Maxwell L. Saal of Walpole and John Vail of Easton.
U.S. Senate: Sununu vs Brown
Republicans see New Hampshire’s Senate seat as a pick up opportunity, and two heavy hitters are running for the nomination: former New Hampshire Sen. John E. Sununu and former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.
Sununu is leading in the polls and secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Brother of former Gov. Chris Sununu and son of former Gov. John Sununu, his family name plays well in the Granite State.
There are other candidates in the race as well, including Tom Alciere of Hudson, Sky Danley of Portsmouth, Andy Martin of Manchester, Mary Maxwell of Concord, Richard A. McMenamon II of Gilmanton and Sabrina Ann Smith of Pittsfield.
Still, it will be an uphill battle for either candidate to defeat the Democrat in a state that voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
House CD01: A Shaheen, a Democratic chair, and a bunch of outsiders
The election for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District features stacked fields of candidates in both primary elections as both parties vie to take the historically purple seat held by Pappas.
The district is rated “Likely D” by the Cook Political Report.
In the Democratic primary, the candidates include Carleigh Beriont of Hampton, Bill Conlin of Dover, Matthew Emerson of Conway, Stefany Shaheen of Portsmouth, Sarah Bella Spinosa of Manchester, Maura Sullivan of New Castle, Christian Urrutia of Moultonborough and Sarah E. Chadzynski of Lyndeborough.
Shaheen, former Portsmouth city counselor and daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and Sullivan, New Hampshire Democratic party vice chair, are leading the race in the polls. But a few of the other candidates are trying to capture the anti-establishment, progressive vote, and Beriont, Hampton Select Board Chairwoman, is painting herself as the leading progressive candidate.
With so many candidates, political scientists in the state have said the race will likely be tight.
House CD01: Will Trump’s endorsement decide the race?
The Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District will test Trump’s endorsement power in a crowded field of candidates.
Businessman and first-time candidate Anthony DiLorenzo secured Trump’s endorsement over Hollie Noveletsky, the owner of Novel Iron Works who was the runner-up in the 2024 Republican primary, as well as Lindsey Anderson and Brian Cole.
Trump’s endorsement in the 1st District will make it harder for Noveletsky and the other candidates to win the Sept. 8 primary, according to New Hampshire political pundits. A recent poll found DiLorenzo leads Noveletsky 30% to 17%.
New Hampshire CD02
Both of the primaries for New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District are contested, with incumbent Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Paige Beauchemin, D-Nashua. Goodlander is leading handily, according to the polls.
Lily Tang Williams, the 2024 Republican nominee, is hoping for a rematch in 2026. Her opponents in the primary are Dan Nicholson of Nashua and Victor Orlando of Hollis
The district is rated “Solid D” by the Cook Political Report.
New Hampshire governor
Gov. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, is running for her second term in office. She is being challenged in the primary by Shaun Fife of Gilmanton and Bob Wayne McClory of Goffstown. Fife finished third in the Republican primary for governor in 2024 with 876 votes to Ayotte’s 88,117.
The winner will face former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, who came in second in the 2024 Democratic primary for governor. She does not have a primary opponent.
Recent polls have found Ayotte running ahead of her Republican counterparts and leading Warmington in a general election matchup.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Margie Cullen.
