Chris Pappas could become first openly gay man ever elected to US Senate

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%.