Democrat Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire House seat

Democrat Chris Pappas on Tuesday won the election to replace retiring Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.), keeping the New Hampshire congressional seat in Democratic control.

The New Hampshire Executive Council member and Manchester restaurant owner beat Republican Eddie Edwards, a former police chief who received an endorsement from President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

“I am humbled beyond words that the voters of the 1st Congressional District placed their trust in me today,” Pappas told supporters. “Voters in New Hampshire and all across the country are delivering a strong message that when America is faced with a challenge, we don’t give up. We don’t give in to fear or anger. We persevere.”

Pappas, who is seen as a local Democratic establishment favorite, earned endorsements from Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) during the Democratic primary.

Pappas will become the first openly gay member of Congress from New Hampshire. His opponent would have become the state’s first-ever black Congressional representative.

New Hampshire’s 1st District has flipped between Republican and Democratic control four times in the past 12 years, with Shea-Porter and former Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) alternating.

When Shea-Porter won the seat in 2016, President Trump won the swing district by less than 2 points.