Chris Pappas
October 10, 2026 · Newsletter
Granite Strong
If you walk into my family’s restaurant in Manchester on any given afternoon, you’ll hear the same sounds I’ve heard my entire life: the clinking of coffee mugs, the hum of blenders, and the rhythm of neighbors talking in a booth. It’s the sound of New Hampshire — and the community that shaped me.
My great-grandfather started his business 109 years ago. He was a Greek immigrant who didn’t have much, but he believed that if you worked hard, treated people right, and gave back to your community, this country would give you a fair shot.
Long before I served in Congress, I was in the kitchen at the restaurant making homemade ice cream. In a year we’d churn out more than 35,000 gallons of it!
Helping run my family’s small business showed me the power of hard work and serving others.
But unfortunately the opportunity that my ancestors and others sought has never been further away, and Donald Trump and his administration are too busy cutting deals for their billionaire buddies to give a damn.
I decided to run for Senate to change that.
I’ve traveled across the Granite State on the campaign trail — from the Seacoast to the North Country — and the stories I hear are the same: People are working harder than ever and doing everything right but still seem to be falling behind.
The system isn’t working. More often than not, it feels rigged for those at the top — while the rest of us are just trying to scrape by.
That’s why I’m running for Senate: We deserve leaders who fight for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. And it’s about time that our economy works for everyone.
I’m also running to bring a new voice to the Senate and stand up for all Granite Staters.
Growing up in New Hampshire, I often wondered if there would be a place for me here — if I’d be able to live openly and authentically in the state I love. I certainly never imagined I could one day be elected to public office as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
After college I returned home to help run my family’s restaurant and decided to run for the state legislature because I wanted to give back to the city and state that had given me so many opportunities.
And somewhat to my surprise, not only did my community accept me, they gave me their trust and sent me to Concord to serve them.
I’ll never forget the first speech I made from the State House floor. At the time marriage equality was far from the law of the land, and the legislature was debating a bill that would have prohibited New Hampshire from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.
I told my colleagues that the bill ran counter to the “Live Free or Die” spirit we’re so proud of in New Hampshire and that we shouldn’t be legislating based on fear or hate or trying to punish people for who they love.
Unfortunately the bill passed, and we lost that fight. But we didn’t give up.
We persevered, and not long after the legislature passed a new bill recognizing civil unions between same-sex partners. And a few years after that, New Hampshire became the first state in the nation to legalize marriage equality through legislative action.
It was a remarkable turnaround that showed real progress is possible, and that’s made an immeasurable difference in the lives of so many who call New Hampshire home — including my husband and me.
I’m not running to make history — I’m running to make a difference for every Granite Stater who feels like their voice isn’t being heard by those who represent them.
During this campaign the contrast between me and my opponent, John Sununu, has only grown stronger.
I’ve spent my time in Congress taking on tough fights. I’m ranked one of the most bipartisan members of the House because I’ll always look for a chance to deliver results. But I’ll also take on anyone to do what’s best for New Hampshire — regardless of political party.
We’re seeing a different approach from Sununu and the Republican side.
The GOP sows extreme rhetoric and threatens our fundamental freedoms — from attacks on reproductive rights to a Trump Administration that’s more focused on helping billionaire insiders than lowering costs for families here in New Hampshire.
We can’t go backward.
I’ve beaten their dangerous agenda before. When I first ran for Congress in 2018, people said a Democrat couldn’t hold a district like ours for more than a single term. We proved them wrong by staying grounded in our values.
Every day on the campaign trail, I feel that same momentum.
I see it in the seniors who pull me aside to talk about prescription drug costs, and I see it in the young people showing up to No Kings Rallies and getting involved in politics for the first time.
We have a long road ahead, and the fights will only get tougher as the national Republicans pour money into the state to try to eclipse our progress. But if there’s one thing churning out all that ice cream at my family’s restaurant taught me, it’s that you show up and work hard every single day.
We’re just getting started. I’m ready for the work ahead. I’m ready for the big fights. And I’m ready to be a Senator who always has your back.
Thank you for reading,
Chris
Before you go!
John Sununu has taken the lead in the polls thanks to over $60 million in GOP spending — and we know even more money is hitting the airwaves soon.
To compete with their millions, we need you.
But with just 24 days left of this campaign, we’re running out of time to close this gap and keep New Hampshire blue.