Socialist challenger narrows gap with Democratic Senate favorite in New Hampshire

Rep. Chris Pappas secured the Democratic Senate nomination in New Hampshire after sweeping endorsements and clearing the field, but his lead is slipping as socialist candidate Karishma Manzur has reduced a previous 50-point gap to just 13 points, per a University of New Hampshire poll that puts her at 34 % against his 47 %. Pappas has raised almost $13.4 million through June, dwarfing Manzur’s sub-$207,000 war chest. Manzur, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, runs on a platform of economic equality, universal healthcare and an end to war profiteering, citing grassroots momentum among younger voters.

While the Republican primary features establishment-backed John E. Sununu against former Trump ambassador Scott Brown, Democrats fear Manzur could become a weaker general-election opponent. National Republicans are already optimistic about flipping the seat held by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, despite forecasters giving Democrats a slight edge.