- Jeanne Shaheen announced her retirement, opening a Senate seat in New Hampshire, which is crucial for Democrats to defend in the upcoming elections.
- In the Democratic primary for the Senate seat, Chris Pappas leads Karishma Manzur by 13 points, according to polling from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.
- Dan McKee faces a tough challenge from Helena Foulkes in the Rhode Island gubernatorial primary, with public polling showing Foulkes with a healthy lead.
- John E. Sununu and Scott Brown are competing in the Republican primary for the Senate seat, with Sununu being the clear frontrunner.
- Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is facing a challenge from David Morales in the mayoral primary, with Morales being supported by key progressives.
New Hampshire and Rhode Island are holding crucial state primaries that could shape the political landscape ahead of the November midterms. In New Hampshire, Congressman Chris Pappas leads Dr. Karishma Manzur by 13 points in the Democratic Senate race, according to a recent poll.2
Pappas, who has over $4 million in cash on hand, is viewed as a strong candidate to succeed retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. His campaign has garnered endorsements from prominent Democrats, including Shaheen and former Vice President Kamala Harris. However, Manzur, a progressive activist, has gained traction by criticizing Pappas for his ties to special interest groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).1
In Rhode Island, Governor Dan McKee faces a significant challenge from former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes. McKee risks becoming the first elected governor to lose renomination since 2014, with public polling indicating Foulkes holds a healthy lead. The race has intensified as McKee's administration faces scrutiny over the handling of the Washington Bridge reconstruction.3
As both states prepare for their primaries, the outcomes could have lasting implications for the Democratic Party's chances in the upcoming elections, particularly in the Senate race where Pappas is expected to face a formidable opponent in the general election.
“In Rhode Island, the Washington Bridge closure has become a flash point, with McKee facing criticism over the slow reconstruction. Foulkes, a former CVS executive, leads in public polling, and the winner will be the heavy favorite in November.”
The Guardian
