ROUNDUP: Pete Buttigieg Campaigns with Chris Pappas, Highlights Stakes of Must-Win 2026 NH Senate Race

MANCHESTER, NH — Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Congressman Chris Pappas on the campaign trail this week to highlight the importance of New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race — which is one of the most competitive contests in the country and a must-win for Democrats looking to take back the Senate majority.

Buttigieg emphasized how Pappas’s record of being a pragmatic, bipartisan leader focused on delivering real results reflects New Hampshire’s values. Together, they highlighted the need to lower costs for families, protect fundamental freedoms, and take on corporate special interests and the Trump Administration which are making it harder for Granite Staters to get ahead.

Read more below:

WMUR: Buttigieg Kicks Off 3-Day NH Swing Campaigning for Chris Pappas in Manchester

By Adam Sexton, 2/19/26

  • Pete Buttigieg is back making the rounds at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester. This time, he is not the candidate. He’s here to give a boost to the U.S. Senate campaign of Chris Pappas.
  • “He [Pappas] was great to work with in the U.S. House. He has a very focused message about making sure government works for people, to make life more affordable, instead of working for the wealthiest people, really serving themselves,” said Buttigieg.

Union Leader: Buttigieg slams Merrimack ICE proposal, backs Pappas in NH visit

By Kevin Landrigan, 2/19/26

  • Buttigieg said he’s proud to support Pappas […]
  • They worked together to bring infrastructure projects to New Hampshire, Buttigieg said.
  • […]
  • Buttigieg and Pappas went through Puritan Backroom Restaurant Thursday, shaking hands with patrons and sharing selfies.
  • “It’s good to have him back,” said former state Sen. Donna Soucy, D-Manchester.
  • […]
  • A former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg criticized President Donald Trump for what he called a legacy of “self dealing” and political corruption “unknown in America’s 250-year history.”
  • […]

FOX News: Buttigieg, Newsom, AOC top three in new 2028 poll in key presidential primary state

By Paul Steinhauser, 2/19/26

  • As he kicked off a three-day swing in key New England swing state, Buttigieg teamed up with Rep. Chris Pappas, the clear frontrunner for the Democratic Senate nomination in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a fellow Democrat. Shaheen’s seat is a top GOP target in the midterms.
  • […]
  • He added that he’ll “continue to go wherever I think I can be useful in elevating attention to issues and working with candidates I believe in, and Chris Pappas is a great example of a candidate I am proud to be supporting and speaking up for.”

Boston Globe: Pete Buttigieg stumps with Chris Pappas and other N.H. Democrats, fueling speculation about 2028 presidential race

By Steven Porter, 2/19/26

  • Pete Buttigieg, the former US transportation secretary, kicked off a three-day visit Thursday to New Hampshire, where he’s championing local Democratic candidates in this year’s midterm elections while also stoking speculation about his own intentions for the 2028 presidential race.
  • Buttigieg joined Representative Chris Pappas for an afternoon pit stop at the Puritan Backroom restaurant, which the Pappas family owns, to promote the congressman’s closely watched campaign for US Senate.
  • Amid the sounds of clinking dishware and the scent of fried food, the duo mingled with a subdued crowd of mid-afternoon diners, only some of whom knew in advance that the politicians would be stopping by.
  • “I voted for you last year,” one man said, as he gave Pappas a firm handshake.
  • “I might ask you to do it again this year,” Pappas replied.
  • “It’s going to happen,” the man added. “I hate Trump.”
  • […]
  • Buttigieg said he came to New Hampshire because he is traveling around the country elevating causes and candidates worth supporting. He praised Pappas and New Hampshire in the same breath.
  • “I’ve seen his pragmatic style that’s very much characteristic of this state,” Buttigieg said, “and I also think he represents a welcome generational opportunity to have new voices in a more modern Senate.”

Seacoastonline: 4 takeaways from Pete Buttigieg’s NH visit, from ICE to elections

By Margie Cullen, 2/20/26

  • Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared alongside Rep. Chris Pappas, D-NH, Feb. 19 at the Puritan Backroom restaurant, where he was supporting Pappas’ campaign for Senate as well as stoking presidential run rumors.
  • […]
  • At the restaurant, which is owned by Pappas’ family, Buttigieg and Pappas spoke with reporters and mingled with diners.
  • […]
  • Part of the reason for Buttigieg’s trip to New Hampshire was to support Pappas in his campaign to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, in the upper chamber.
  • “Chris Pappas is a great example of a candidate that I am proud to be supporting and speaking up for,” Buttigieg said. “I’ve known him for a long time, worked together to deliver transportation funding to New Hampshire. I’ve seen his pragmatic style that’s very characteristic of this state. And I also think he represents a welcome generational opportunity to have new voices in a more modern Senate.”

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