New Delhi: Democrat Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the United States Senate. Pappas defeated former Republican senator John E. Sununu, securing the New Hampshire seat that Republicans had hoped to flip. While the Senate has previously had openly queer women members, no openly gay man had been elected to the upper chamber before him.
Pappas, 46, had already made history in 2018 when he was elected to be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent New Hampshire in Congress. A three-term Congressman and former small-business owner, he has been relatively open about his sexuality throughout his political career.
Addressing supporters after his victory, he thanked his husband, Vann, standing beside him.
“I’m the luckiest guy because I’m married to a man that I love,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. He also said that despite the negative attacks and lies during the campaign, “love and truth prevailed tonight.”
In his campaign, Pappas centred on the cost of living, healthcare access, housing and protecting reproductive freedoms. He promised to take on corporate interests, push for lower prescription drug prices, protect access to affordable healthcare and address the rising cost of housing. He also called for restrictions on stock trading by members of Congress as part of his anti-corruption agenda.
A significant part of his campaign involved positioning himself as a check on the Trump administration. He sought to link his Republican opponent Sununu to Trump’s policies, particularly on the economy and healthcare. He presented himself as a pragmatic alternative candidate willing to challenge both Republicans and his own party when necessary.
“Tonight whether you are Republican or independent or Democrat, tonight’s victory is for you, because this is a victory for New Hampshire against the broken status quo which is hurting us all the same,” he said in his speech after the win.
His campaign received endorsements from former president Barack Obama and former vice-president Kamala Harris, among other prominent Democrats.
“Chris knows costs are too high and corporate special interests are rigging the system, so he is fighting back,” Obama said in his endorsement video. “He has worked to make housing and healthcare more affordable. He took on Big Pharma to cut prescription drug prices. And he’s fighting to ban stock trading in Congress.”
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LGBTQ+ work
Pappas has also built a legislative record on LGBTQ+ rights. As co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, he has supported the Equality Act, which seeks to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in employment, housing and public spaces. He has supported the Respect for Marriage Act, signed into law in 2022, which provides federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
His record has not been without criticism, however.
Out Magazine noted that in 2024, Pappas voted for a major defence spending bill despite its inclusion of a provision restricting TRICARE coverage of gender-affirming care for transgender minors. He said he opposed the provision but supported the larger legislation because of its defence investments.
(Edited by Stela Dey)