Chris Pappas secured the New Hampshire Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, defeating former Sen. John E. Sununu by a margin that settled in the 12-15 point range based on certified results showing Pappas at approximately 56% and Sununu at 42%. Late-cycle polling averages placed Pappas ahead by 6-8 points, with surveys from the University of New Hampshire, AtlasIntel, and others indicating consistent Democratic strength among independents and suburban voters. Sununu's primary win and general-election positioning, including efforts to differentiate from national Republican figures, failed to close the gap amid broader voter preferences for divided government. The final vote tally aligned closely with the upper end of pre-election estimates, producing the observed margin without significant late shifts from recounts or certification issues.