Stefany Shaheen and Republican businessman Anthony DiLorenzo have secured victories in their respective primaries for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, CBS News projects. The wins set up a general election matchup to replace outgoing Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who is pursuing the Senate seat held by his relative, retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
The contest in the southeastern New Hampshire district has drawn national attention, with the National Republican Congressional Committee labeling it a top target. Although Democrats have held the seat since 2017, it has been highly volatile, changing hands five times since the 2006 election. Independent analysts currently view the district as favorable to Democrats, with the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics ranking it lean Democrat and the Cook Political Report calling it likely Democrat.
In the Democratic primary, Shaheen, a former Portsmouth City Councilor and daughter of the retiring senator, defeated Maura Sullivan. Sullivan, a Marine Corps veteran, held advantages in recent polling and fundraising prior to the election. This marked Sullivan’s second unsuccessful bid for the seat, having previously lost to Pappas in the 2018 Democratic primary.
The race grew increasingly contentious in its final weeks. Shaheen’s campaign aired an attack ad alleging that Sullivan’s efforts were backed by pro-Israel lobbying groups and corporate interests. Sullivan responded with an advertisement attacking Shaheen’s political pedigree, referencing her family’s influence.
On the Republican side, Trump-backed DiLorenzo won the contest after overcoming several other candidates. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed DiLorenzo in July, praising him as a successful entrepreneur. DiLorenzo entered the general election with a significant fundraising lead over fellow frontrunner Hollie Noveletsky, CEO of Novel Iron Works. Despite the financial disparity, recent polling indicated the two candidates were statistically tied heading into Election Day.
Trump backing DiLorenzo clearly helped. That endorsement probably sealed the deal for many Republicans.
I wonder if DiLorenzo’s massive fundraising advantage will actually matter if the polls are tied.
Did anyone else notice the heated rhetoric between Shaheen and Sullivan? That attack ad was nasty.
Wait, isn’t this district historically swing? Seems bold for Democrats to count on holding it.
Great to see the Shaheen name stay in New Hampshire politics. The family legacy continues strong.