Chris Pappas
Representative, NH-1 · Democratic · New Hampshire
Chris Pappas is the Democratic U.S. Representative for NH-1 and a 2026 candidate for the open U.S. Senate seat, running as a pragmatic moderate.
Profile last updated Sep 3, 2026 · Center Field Politics
Summary
A moderate Democrat who highlights veterans’ issues and occasionally breaks with his party on high-profile votes.
Recent Action
Launched his 2026 U.S. Senate campaign for the open Shaheen seat.
Where They Stand
Stances on the issues many voters care most about. Where a candidate has not given a clear answer we mark it "Mixed / Partial" or "Unclear" rather than guess. Positions are drawn from official records and bias-labeled news sources; they are descriptive only and are never scored.
Environment—Supports4
Climate protections and regulation versus fewer climate-related regulations on industry.
Backs clean energy and PFAS cleanup while supporting a practical energy mix.
Healthcare—Mixed / Partial4
Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.
Supports strengthening the ACA and lowering costs rather than single-payer.
Second Amendment—Supports4
New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.
Supports expanded background checks and red-flag laws.
Immigration—Mixed / Partial46
Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.
Backs legal pathways but has voted for tougher enforcement measures.
Roe v. Wade—Supports4
Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.
Supports abortion-rights protections.
National Security—Mixed / Partial4
Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.
Favors congressional authorization and diplomacy over unilateral military action.
Party Loyalty
Party-line alignment on major recorded votes.
A Problem Solvers Caucus member who has broken with Democratic leadership on some border and economic votes.
Follow the Money
Raised $8.5M for the 2026 cycle. Outside influence read: low; opacity proxy 0%.
Total raised (cycle 2026): $8,500,000 · Outside influence: Low
Net Worth Over Time
Most recent estimate: $1M-$5M
Year-over-year change cannot be computed until additional disclosure years are added to this profile.
On the 2026 Ballot
Sources
- Congress.gov — Chris Pappas
- GovTrack — Rep. Chris Pappas voting record
- AP — New Hampshire policy coverage
- Ballotpedia — Chris Pappas political positions
- Congress.gov — S. 3373, Honoring our PACT Act
- Congress.gov — H.R. 29, Laken Riley Act
- American Immigration Council — Analysis of the Laken Riley Act
- NH GOP — Statement on Pappas Senate bid
- FEC — Campaign finance (Q2 2026 filing (open U.S. Senate race))
- OpenSecrets — Personal finances (federal disclosures)
- Wikipedia — Chris Pappas