‘Love and truth prevailed’: Chris Pappas makes history as first openly gay man elected to the Senate, defeating John Sununu in New Hampshire
Queering the halls of the senate!
Chris Pappas made history on Tuesday, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican John E. Sununu in New Hampshire. But during his victory speech, the newly elected senator made sure to recognize someone who had stood beside him throughout the campaign: his husband, Vann Bentley.
Speaking to supporters at his family’s restaurant in Manchester, Pappas paused to thank Bentley, who was standing beside him onstage. “I want to thank the guy next to me, my amazing husband Vann,” Pappas told the crowd, drawing enthusiastic applause.
The moment prompted an unexpected joke from the congressman. “All right, the wrong person was on the ballot, apparently,” he said, referring to the cheers for his husband. He then added that, regardless of the election’s outcome, he considered himself lucky to be married to a man he loved.
“I’m the luckiest guy because I’m married to a man that I love,” Pappas said. “And despite all the negative attacks and the lies, it’s nice to know that love and truth prevailed tonight.”
The remarks gave an especially personal dimension to an election that had drawn national attention. Pappas’s victory over Sununu, a former senator seeking a return to the chamber, also secured the Democratic-held seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Chris Pappas makes history
Pappas’s win marks a milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in American politics. He is the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate, although he is not the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the chamber. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who was elected in 2012, previously made history as the first openly gay person elected to the Senate.
The New Hampshire Democrat has represented the state’s 1st Congressional District since 2019, after previously serving in state and local government. His Senate campaign centered on economic concerns, including the rising cost of living, health care, tariffs, and the influence of wealthy donors and corporate interests in Washington, Associate Press reported.
The race also became contentious over the professional background of Pappas’s husband. Bentley previously worked as a lobbyist for Amazon and later joined Uber, where he works on privacy and cybersecurity policy. Republican-aligned groups used those connections in attacks on Pappas, questioning whether his congressional record benefited companies associated with Bentley.
The campaign attracted tens of millions of dollars in outside spending, with groups backing Sununu among those funding attacks against the Democratic candidate. Pappas addressed that spending directly during his victory speech.
His victory is a ‘wake-up call’ for billionaires
Pappas presented the result as a rebuke of wealthy donors and corporate interests that had poured money into the race. “Tonight’s results are a wake-up call for corporate special interests and billionaires,” he said, criticizing what he described as an economic system that benefits powerful interests while ordinary Americans face rising costs.
He also pointed to the scale of his campaign’s grassroots support, saying it had received donations from 200,000 individual donors and had accepted no money from corporate political action committees. “We showed what happens when we stick together, stand up for what’s right, and never lose hope, even when the odds are long,” Pappas said.
The congressman also acknowledged Sununu’s concession, describing the former senator’s call to congratulate him as gracious and wishing him and his family well. He framed his victory as one that extended beyond party lines, addressing voters struggling with the cost of gas, groceries, and housing.
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