In a closely watched Senate race in New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas is campaigning on issues such as affordable health care, combating inflation, and confronting corruption in Washington, while downplaying the historic significance of his potential election. If successful, Pappas would become the first openly gay man to serve in the U.S. Senate, a milestone that he chooses not to emphasize in his campaign.
At a recent event in Rochester, New Hampshire, Pappas, 46, focused on the day-to-day concerns of his constituents rather than his personal identity. “I’m not thinking much about history right now,” he said, highlighting instead the challenges faced by people in the state. His subdued approach aligns with a trend among some Democratic candidates reluctant to foreground identity politics amid a politically divided nation.
Pappas’s Republican opponent, former Senator John E. Sununu, has not addressed Pappas’s sexual orientation directly in the campaign. However, Pappas has faced attacks that some LGBTQ+ advocates interpret as veiled homophobia. In a notable example, Pappas’s 2020 opponent accused him of a conflict of interest related to votes on bills supported by Amazon and his then-partner, an Amazon lobbyist. Pappas has dismissed such claims as unfounded, calling out what he describes as attempts by outside groups to “muddy the waters” of his record.
Raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Pappas is a co-owner of the family’s well-known restaurant, the Puritan Backroom, where he has long been a local figure. He came out as gay while attending Harvard University and has been open about his identity throughout his political career, which began with his election as a state representative at age 22. He has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, speaking out against discriminatory legislation and supporting measures to expand federal protections for gay and transgender Americans.
Pappas’s early legislative work coincided with New Hampshire’s evolving stance on same-sex relationships, including the legalization of civil unions in 2007 and same-sex marriage in 2009. Since his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, he has served as co-chair of the Equality Caucus and sponsored legislation aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ veterans and expanding civil rights.
Despite the national political climate, which some activists view as increasingly hostile toward LGBTQ+ individuals, Pappas said he has experienced broad acceptance within New Hampshire. “Our state motto is ‘Live Free or Die,’” he noted. “I think people, regardless of their politics, really just want their neighbors to be able to be themselves.”
Pappas’s campaign is supported by notable figures such as Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and the first openly gay major presidential candidate, who has appeared on the trail with him. Buttigieg emphasized that while breaking barriers is significant, the focus remains on addressing voters’ priorities rather than the candidate’s personal identity.
As Pappas vies to replace retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the three-term Democrat, his candidacy marks a potential historic moment in the Senate. Yet, both Pappas and his supporters prioritize his agenda and qualifications over the groundbreaking nature of his potential election, reflecting an emphasis on pragmatic governance amid a politically charged environment.