What they say: “Chris Pappas’ unwavering dedication to our veterans and his efforts to foster bipartisan cooperation distinguish him as a leader who will put the needs of all constituents first,” Bolduc said in an emailed statement.
- “His ability to navigate the complex landscape of our economy, tackle the national debt with a steady hand, and work toward solutions that bridge divisions is especially critical in today’s challenging political climate.”
- New Hampshire’s labor leader was the first to report the endorsement.
Catch up quickly: Pappas and former Sen. John E. Sununu (R), a member of a prominent local political family, are running in a tight race, but recent polls have consistently given Pappas an edge.
- An AARP poll released in early October and conducted by the New Hampshire Political Institute found that Pappas held a 7-point advantage over Sununu among likely voters.
- Like other Republicans competing in competitive elections, Sununu, considered a more moderate Republican, has tried to distance himself from the president. But a majority of voters in the state indicated they were more interested in a check on the president’s power.
- Both men are running to replace Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in a state that leans left but has elected Republican officials.
Zoom: Bolduc joined 57 other New Hampshire Republicans and independents in supporting Pappas, including former state Sen. Rick Russman.
- “As a Republican for over fifty years, I think it is important to make it clear: Donald Trump’s hand-picked candidate, John Sununu, and the MAGA machine do not represent the Republican Party of our parents and grandparents,” Russman said in an emailed statement.
- Congressman Chris Pappas said he “will always work with anyone to deliver results for New Hampshire, and I am grateful to have earned the support of Granite Staters of all parties and ideological lines, who are ready to build a freer and fairer future for our state.”
- Sununu’s campaign did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.
Please note: Bolduc’s endorsement of Pappas is particularly intriguing given that the former Army brigadier general was MAGA-aligned and had previously supported President Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
- He then walked back those claims and claimed that President Biden had won.
Zoom out: The clearest path for Democrats to wrest control of the Senate from Republicans is to keep all of their current seats and flip four, and favorable polls suggest they may perform better than expected.
- Still, Republicans view New Hampshire as a prime opportunity for recovery.
Go further: Scoop: Thune headlines fundraiser for New Hampshire’s Sununu in Senate race
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