Date: April 10, 2025
Contact: Jeff Larivee, (202) 821-5203
Equality PAC Endorses Congressman Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate
Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC endorsed Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) to represent New Hampshire in the United States Senate. Pappas is running to replace incumbent Democratic Senate Jean Shaheen, who is retiring at the end of the 119th Congress. When elected, Pappas will be the first openly gay male senator in United States history.
“Equality PAC is proud to endorse Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate because New Hampshire deserves a leader who has a proven record of delivering real results for Granite Staters,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “From day one, Chris has fought to lower prescription drug costs, protect access to reproductive health care, and invest in infrastructure to create good-paying jobs and improve New Hampshire’s roads and bridges. He has been a champion for small businesses, helping secure critical relief during the pandemic, and has worked tirelessly to ensure veterans receive the benefits and care they deserve. When Chris first ran for Congress in 2018, Equality PAC was there to help him make history as New Hampshire’s first openly LGBTQ representative. We believed in his leadership then, and we believe in it now. As he takes this next step in his service to New Hampshire, we are committed to standing with him once again—mobilizing resources, engaging voters, and doing everything we can to ensure he wins. New Hampshire needs a fighter in the Senate who will put Granite Staters first, and Chris Pappas has proven time and again that he is that leader. Equality PAC is ready to help send him to the Senate, where we know he will continue to deliver for all Americans.”
Pappas was first elected in 2018 as New Hampshire’s first openly LGBTQ Member of Congress ever elected. Chris is grounded in the people and places of the Granite State. He is running for Senate to put the people of New Hampshire first and brings a deep understanding of the issues impacting Granite Staters to Washington. He knows our economy–and our democracy–are tilted toward special interests and those at the top, and he works every day to be a steadfast champion of the people, communities, and Main Street businesses in New Hampshire.
During his time in Congress, Pappas has sponsored legislation to support New Hampshire’s small businesses, improve access to affordable health care for Granite Staters, fight to get our veterans the benefits they have earned, combat the opioid epidemic, and protect our drinking water.
Born and raised in Manchester, Pappas is a small business owner and community-driven leader who has a record of addressing some of New Hampshire’s most pressing challenges. A proud product of Manchester public schools, he has dedicated his time in public service to putting people before politics to deliver opportunities to families in every community. From creating new jobs and confronting the opioid crisis to ensuring the delivery of quality, affordable health care for every Granite Stater, Pappas earned a reputation as a results-driven leader.
Prior to serving in Congress, Chris served on New Hampshire’s very powerful Executive Council (which has veto power over the Governor). He also helped his family run their 100+ year old family restaurant.
Equality PAC’s mission is simple: to elect more LGBTQ+ persons to Congress — individuals who will have a seat at the table, impact the debate, and humanize the LGBTQ community’s concerns. All the funds we raise are used to elect and re-elect LGBTQ persons to Congress and secondarily support strong LGBTQ community allies who will proudly and unapologetically stand with us in the fight to pass the Equality Act and equal protection under our nation’s laws.
In the short time that Equality PAC has existed, Equality PAC has played an unmatched role in making history for the LGBTQ community, electing LGBTQ leaders at the federal level such as current House Members Sharice Davis (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire). And in 2024, Equality PAC helped elect Julie Johnson (Texas); Emily Randall (Washington); and Sarah McBride (Delaware).
Equality PAC has been instrumental in winning key races that have determined control of Congress because we know that without pro-Equality majorities, the progress our community has made and the civil rights and equal protections we have fought so hard for, and are still fighting for every day, remain in jeopardy.
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