New Hampshire Primary Election 2026
The New Hampshire primary is Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Poll hours vary by town; most open between 6 and 11 a.m. and close at 7 or 8 p.m. New Hampshire offers same-day voter registration.
Race data updated daily until Election Day, November 3, 2026. Last updated: September 10, 2026.
What's at stake
New Hampshire picked nominees for Jeanne Shaheen's open US Senate seat (rated Toss-up by Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball) and for governor, where incumbent Kelly Ayotte won renomination. General election: Sununu vs. Pappas for Senate; Ayotte vs. Warmington for governor.
Key races and candidates
US Senate (Democratic primary)
Pappas won decisively, defeating Manzur. Pappas held about 62% on the election-night count to Manzur's about 35%. AP and NBC News projected Pappas the winner.
Chris Pappas (D)US Rep; won Dem Senate primary, about 62% on election-night count
Karishma Manzur (D)Attorney; lost to Pappas, about 35% on election-night count
Result (September 8): US Rep. Chris Pappas won the Democratic Senate primary over attorney Karishma Manzur, about 62% to 35% on the election-night count (NBC News, NHPR). These figures are from the election-night count and may be updated as all ballots are canvassed.
US Senate (Republican primary)
Former Sen. John Sununu won decisively over Scott Brown and Tejasinha Sivalingam. Sununu held about 69% and Brown about 26% on the election-night count. AP and NBC News projected Sununu the winner.
John Sununu (R)Former US Senator; won GOP Senate primary, about 69% on election-night count
Scott Brown (R)Former Massachusetts senator; finished second, about 26% on election-night count
Tejasinha Sivalingam (R)Third candidate; eliminated
Result (September 8): Former Sen. John Sununu won the Republican Senate primary over Scott Brown and Tejasinha Sivalingam, about 69% to 26% on the election-night count (NBC News, Roll Call). These figures are from the election-night count and may be updated as all ballots are canvassed.
Governor (Republican primary)
Incumbent Gov. Kelly Ayotte easily defeated two lesser-known challengers, Shaun Fife and Robert McClory, to win the GOP gubernatorial primary. AP projected Ayotte the winner.
Kelly Ayotte (R)Incumbent governor; easily won GOP primary over Fife and McClory
Shaun Fife (R)Minor challenger; defeated by Ayotte
Robert McClory (R)Minor challenger; defeated by Ayotte
Result (September 8): Incumbent Gov. Kelly Ayotte easily defeated challengers Shaun Fife and Robert McClory in the Republican gubernatorial primary, advancing to a November rematch with Democrat Cinde Warmington (AP, Washington Post).
Governor (Democratic primary)
Cinde Warmington ran effectively unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face Ayotte in the general election.
Cinde Warmington (D)Former executive councilor; won Dem primary, ran effectively unopposed
Result (September 8): Cinde Warmington won the Democratic gubernatorial primary, running effectively unopposed, and will face incumbent Gov. Kelly Ayotte in the November 3 general election (AP).
What happens next
Winners advance to the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Follow the general-election matchups on our Senate and governor trackers, or see every competitive state on the interactive election map.
All 2026 primary dates and results →