> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Chris Pappas could become first openly gay man ever elected to US Senate
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/chris-pappas-could-become-first-openly-gay-man-ever-elected-to-us-senate/
- Published: 2026-10-22T10:36:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T10:36:49.000Z
- Description: The New Hampshire Democrat is bidding to make LGBTQ+ history in November, when a victory would make him the first openly gay man to serve in the US Senate.
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Politics, North America

**Chris Pappas** could become the first openly gay man ever elected to the **US Senate** if he wins **New Hampshire**’s closely watched Senate race in November. 

The Democratic congressman, who has represented New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district since 2019, is facing Republican former senator **John E. Sununu** for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic senator **Jeanne Shaheen**. The election takes place on **3 November**. 

Pappas has already made LGBTQ+ political history. When he was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2018, he became the first openly gay person to represent New Hampshire in Congress. 

A Senate victory would see him break a much bigger barrier nationally. The **Human Rights Campaign** says Pappas would become the **first openly gay man to serve in the US Senate** if elected, while **LGBTQ+ Victory Fund** describes him as potentially becoming the first out LGBTQ+ man elected to the chamber. 

Pappas secured the Democratic nomination in September, setting up a general election battle with Sununu, who won the Republican nomination. 

Before entering Congress, Pappas served on the **New Hampshire Executive Council** from 2013 to 2019 and earlier sat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. 

He is also a co-chair of the **Congressional Equality Caucus** and has backed LGBTQ+ equality measures including the **Equality Act**. His congressional website says he is committed to opposing efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights. 

Pappas lives in Manchester, New Hampshire, with his husband, **Vann Bentley**. The couple married in 2023\. 

Recent polling has put Pappas ahead of Sununu. A **YouGov** poll conducted between **28 September** and **5 October** put the Democrat on 51% and his Republican opponent on 43%.