Rep. Chris Pappas, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, opened Wednesday night’s WMUR-TV debate by going after his Republican opponent, former Sen. John E. Sununu, on the Iran war. Pappas said Sununu “cheered it on from the beginning.”
Pappas called the war “an endless war with no easy off ramp that’s making things worse for Americans.”
Pappas added: “the regime in Iran, which continues to pledge death to our ally Israel and the United States, is no friend.” Sununu pushed back, saying that cutting Iran off from its proxies is America’s most important “long-term strategic goal.” On whether a deal with Iran should include payments, Sununu said: “I’m smart enough to know that money has to be part of it.”
Republican candidate John E. Sununu says cutting Iran off from their proxies is America’s most important “long-term strategic goal.” https://t.co/xMv8ltnZqQ #nhsen #nhpolitics https://t.co/E04yNwGlbl
— WMUR TV (@WMUR9) October 29, 2026
[NOTE: Two days after the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, Sununu called the military action a “pivotal moment” for the region and the world. A week later, on WABC radio, he called Trump’s war “very effective.” When asked about rising gas prices after the strikes, Sununu called the mission “important and critical.”]
In June, on WMUR, when asked whether he would have started the war, Sununu said: “If you’re asking me if I would have done this, no, no.” In August, he told NHPR that going in without a plan to protect the Strait of Hormuz was “a tactical mistake that was made.”
The two clashed on several topics including tariffs, inflation, and Trump loyalty. Pappas said: “This election is about Team New Hampshire v. Team Trump.” He called Trump “the most corrupt president of our lifetimes.” Sununu said he has “never hesitated to stand up” when he believes it is right for New Hampshire.
Earlier this month, Sununu said he has never met Trump and doesn’t need him to win.
[NOTE: Trump endorsed Sununu, despite Sununu’s endorsement of Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential primary and his 2024 op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader titled “Donald Trump is a loser.”]
On inflation, Sununu said Pappas had been “part of the problem for eight years.” He also said: “Chris Pappas voted for that inflation,” pointing to the Inflation Reduction Act.
On Social Security, Pappas said a 2000s bill Sununu cosponsored “would have taken people out of the system.” Sununu called that attack “designed to scare senior citizens, and that’s just wrong.” He said his earlier plan would have made the system “fully solvent” while keeping a “guaranteed minimum benefit.”
Sununu said of a commission Pappas proposed at a press conference Tuesday: “Chris Pappas had a press conference yesterday; he recommended a commission.” He called it “hiding under the table.”