The 2026 midterm elections are officially underway, and the first reported numbers are already looking good for Republicans. In Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, GOP Senate candidate John E. Sununu reportedly pulled in five votes to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas’ two, good for a 71% to 29% split in the tiny community’s early tally.
Yes, it’s seven votes total. Yes, every single one of them matters in a place this small. And yes, Republicans will absolutely take it. Dixville Notch, located up near the Canadian border, has a long tradition of casting and counting its ballots right after midnight on Election Day, making it one of the first communities in the country to report results. Early bird gets the worm, and tonight the early bird is wearing red.
The numbers come from election figures shared by Open Source Zone and have not yet been independently confirmed through an official local election report. So don’t go printing the victory banners just yet. But the reported shift is worth noting because the New Hampshire Senate race results show a real change from 2024, when Dixville Notch split evenly three-to-three between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Moving from a tie to a 71% Republican showing is not nothing, even in a sample size that could fit in a minivan.
Sununu is running to reclaim a Senate seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the same senator who beat him back in 2008. He previously served New Hampshire in the House before spending one Senate term from 2003 to 2009, so this race is personal. He also comes from arguably the most famous Republican family in the Granite State. His father, John H. Sununu, served as governor. His younger brother, Chris Sununu, also served as governor. At this point the Sununus are basically New Hampshire’s version of political royalty, except they actually win elections.
Pappas has held New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District since 2019 and is trying to keep the open Senate seat in Democrat hands. His big campaign strategy? Tie Sununu to Donald Trump and hope voters in a fiercely independent state go for it. Because nothing says “fresh ideas” like running against a guy who isn’t even on the ballot. Classic Democrat playbook.
Sununu has spent the campaign hammering Pappas on his Washington record, arguing the congressman has delivered nothing meaningful for New Hampshire residents. With voters focused on the cost of living and government spending, that’s a message that tends to land. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte is also on the ballot Tuesday, seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington.
Polling locations across New Hampshire close between 7 and 8 p.m. Eastern, so the real results are still coming. Seven votes from Dixville Notch won’t decide anything statewide, but tonight Republicans are leading everywhere they can. Even up near Canada.
