Cook Political Report shifts New Hampshire toward Republican Sununu

Cook Political Report, an election handicapper, shifted its rating for the New Hampshire Senate race to “toss-up,” a significant move in Republicans’ favor, since Democrats need to keep that seat.

Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) is challenging former Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.), who has been out of the Senate for 18 years, for the seat opening up by the retirement of Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

A late August poll by the University of New Hampshire showed Sununu and Pappas nearly tied, at 45 percent Sununu to 43 percent Pappas. While other Senate races have shifted in Democrats’ favor in recent months, New Hampshire might be an exception to a national trend. Many New Hampshire voters also favor a Republican for governor, and are generally fond of Sununu, who comes from a popular political family in the state.

“Even in a light blue state, the amount of money national Republicans have dedicated to this race is a flashing red light for Democrats,” said Jessica Taylor, editor at Cook, in a statement.

The primaries wrapped up last week, cementing Sununu and Pappas as their parties’ respective nominees. Pappas was the moderate choice in the Democratic primary, besting progressive candidate Karishma Manzur.

Sununu, who served one term in the Senate, is the brother of former Gov. Chris Sununu (R), and their father, also named John, was the state’s governor in the 1980s and chair of the state Republican party.