Chris Pappas Wins US Senate Seat, Restoring Greek-American Representation

by · Greek City Times

Greek-American Democrat Chris Pappas has won New Hampshire’s US Senate race, defeating Republican former senator John E. Sununu in a historic victory that restores Greek-American representation to the Senate after nearly 14 years.

The 46-year-old congressman’s victory marks two significant milestones. Pappas becomes the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate and the latest Greek-American to take a seat in the upper chamber of Congress.

His election is particularly significant for Greece and Cyprus, given his longstanding record of supporting Greek-American interests, strengthening defence cooperation with Athens and opposing Turkish military activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Read more: 50 Greek-American Candidates Contest US Midterm Elections

Pappas, whose family traces its roots to Livadi near Elassona in central Greece, has repeatedly raised issues concerning Greek sovereignty, Cyprus and regional security during his time in the House of Representatives.

His victory also represents a setback for US President Donald Trump, who endorsed Sununu in an effort to help Republicans capture the New Hampshire Senate seat.

Greek-American representation returns to the Senate

Pappas’s election ends a nearly 14-year absence of Greek-American representation in the US Senate.

One of the last prominent Greek-American senators was Republican Olympia Snowe, who represented Maine from 1995 until 2013. Democrat Paul Sarbanes of Maryland, another influential Greek-American politician, served in the Senate from 1977 to 2007.

Both lawmakers played important roles in strengthening bipartisan support for Greece and Cyprus in Washington, particularly during periods of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Pappas now takes up that role at a time when relations between Greece and the United States remain strong, while disputes involving Turkey continue to present significant regional security challenges.

Pappas’s record on Greece, Cyprus and Turkey

Throughout his congressional career, Pappas has maintained close connections with the Greek-American community and the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States.

As co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, alongside Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis, he has worked to strengthen relations between Washington and Athens.

He has also supported initiatives to expand American military cooperation with Greece, including proposals to extend assistance through the International Military Education and Training programme.

In September 2025, Pappas joined a bipartisan appeal to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth opposing potential American sales of F-16 and F-35 fighter aircraft to Turkey.

In March 2026, he also condemned the deployment of Turkish F-16 aircraft to occupied northern Cyprus, warning that the move threatened the island’s sovereignty and risked further destabilising the Eastern Mediterranean.

His arrival in the Senate gives Greek-American advocacy an experienced representative with an established record on issues affecting Greece and Cyprus.

From New Hampshire congressman to US senator

Pappas announced his Senate campaign in April 2025 after Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen confirmed she would not seek re-election.

He had represented New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District since 2019, winning four consecutive elections.

Born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on June 4, 1980, Pappas entered politics at just 22 when he was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

He subsequently held several state and local positions before entering federal politics.

In 2018, he defeated Republican Eddie Edwards to win his first congressional election. He went on to retain the seat in 2020, 2022 and 2024.

His electoral success established him as a prominent Democratic figure in New Hampshire, with a reputation for appealing to moderate voters and independents.

Defeating a prominent Republican political family

Pappas faced a formidable opponent in John E. Sununu, a former US senator who represented New Hampshire between 2003 and 2009.

Sununu comes from one of the state’s most influential political families. His father, John H. Sununu, served as New Hampshire governor before becoming White House chief of staff under President George H. W. Bush.

His brother, Chris Sununu, also served as governor.

Trump’s endorsement of Sununu added a national dimension to the contest, with Republicans viewing the election as an opportunity to strengthen their position in the Senate.

Pappas, meanwhile, focused his campaign on the cost of living, economic security, healthcare and protecting democratic institutions.

He repeatedly criticised Trump’s economic policies and argued that Sununu would support an administration that was failing to address the financial pressures facing American households.

A campaign shaped by foreign policy and economic concerns

Foreign policy also featured prominently during the campaign, particularly US involvement in the Middle East, relations with Israel and the war with Iran.

During a televised debate on October 28, Pappas criticised Trump’s tariffs and foreign policy decisions, while questioning Sununu’s previous positions on Social Security.

The candidates also clashed over healthcare, taxation and the future of America’s retirement benefits system.

Sununu challenged Pappas’s congressional record, arguing that his years in Washington had failed to deliver sufficient improvements for New Hampshire residents.

Pappas ultimately secured the victory, defeating the former senator and keeping the seat in Democratic hands.

What his victory means for Greece and Cyprus

For the Greek-American community, Pappas’s election represents more than a personal political achievement.

It restores a Greek-American voice to one of the most influential legislative institutions in the United States, potentially strengthening advocacy on issues involving Athens, Nicosia and the wider Eastern Mediterranean.

His previous work opposing potential US arms sales to Turkey and supporting closer defence cooperation with Greece and Cyprus provides an indication of the issues he is likely to continue pursuing.

However, his influence will depend on the broader political balance in Washington, congressional priorities and the ability to build bipartisan support.

For Greece and Cyprus, his election brings an established supporter of their interests into the US Senate at a particularly important time for regional security.

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