In the Spotlight: Chris Pappas

New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas is vying for a Senate seat, and the Republican opposition is focusing on his vote against the GOP-led budget reconciliation bill as a potential attack line. This vote is becoming a key issue in the upcoming campaign for control of Congress, with party committees and external groups planning advertisements based on members’ voting records. Democrats like Pappas are highlighting proposed Medicaid cuts, while Republicans are emphasizing provisions that would make certain tax cuts permanent. The Republican National Senatorial Committee quickly criticized Pappas on social media for opposing what they called the “largest middle-class tax cut in history.”

Background: Pappas, who holds a government degree from Harvard University, entered politics after observing presidential candidates visiting his family’s restaurant in Manchester. He served two terms in the New Hampshire legislature, was twice elected treasurer of Hillsborough County, and joined the state’s Executive Council. Following the retirement of Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, Pappas won her House seat in the 2018 midterms.

District Overview: The 1st District in New Hampshire covers the southeastern region, extending from the coast to Manchester, and north through rural areas bordering Maine. Manchester, a former textile manufacturing center, is now known for its low taxes and proximity to Boston. The district also includes the Pease Air National Guard Base near Portsmouth and the University of New Hampshire in Durham. The district’s voters lean toward the center due to New Hampshire’s libertarian tradition, re-electing Pappas by an 8-point margin in 2024.

Recent Action: In February, Pappas supported a House measure requiring the federal government to reach out to small rural businesses after a disaster declaration. He previously sponsored a similar bill that passed the House but did not progress in the Senate in the 118th Congress.

Fun Fact: Pappas’ father, Charlie Pappas, is credited with inventing the chicken tender at the family’s restaurant, the Puritan Backroom, in 1974. Manchester even proclaimed itself the “chicken tender capital of the world” in 2023 in honor of this culinary creation.

Source: Daniela Altimari