Nine candidates are running in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District election on September 8, 2026. Stefany Shaheen (D), Maura Sullivan (D), and Christian Urrutia (D) lead in media attention, campaign fundraising, and endorsements. Incumbent Chris Pappas (D) is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate rather than for re-election.

Ahead of the election, the Cook Political Report wrote, "Republicans think they have a shot at picking off New Hampshire’s 1st District, which voted for Harris by just two points last November. Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas won reelection there by a healthier eight-point margin, defeating former New Hampshire Executive Councilor Russell Prescott. But now that Pappas is running to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Democrats could have a tougher time defending this seat."

Shaheen, who is the daughter of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D), is a health care advocate, entrepreneur, and author. Her previous experience includes serving as a Portsmouth City Councilor and as chair of the Portsmouth Police Commission. Shaheen is running on her record in local government and her experience as a health care advocate. Shaheen's campaign website said, "When I see Donald Trump crushing medical research, and Republicans in Congress slashing Medicaid, and health care for kids, seniors, and veterans – all to give big tax breaks to billionaires and corporations — I know it’s not enough to just get mad. That’s why I’m running for Congress." Former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Lynch (D), U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), NEA-New Hampshire, Teamsters Local 633, and IBEW 490 endorsed Shaheen.

Sullivan is a former Marine captain and served as assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs during President Barack Obama's (D) administration. Her other experience includes serving as assistant to the Secretary of Defense and as senior advisor to the Secretary of the Navy. Sullivan is running on her experience as an Iraq War veteran and describes herself as part of a new generation of leadership. Her campaign website said during her deployment to Iraq, "she saw how out-of-touch leadership in Washington failed an entire generation and working-class men and women paid the price." VoteVets, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D), and U.S. Reps. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) endorsed Sullivan.

Urrutia is an attorney and Army National Guard officer. His other experience included serving as a senior national security leader at the Pentagon and working as Director of Community Policy at Airbnb. Urrutia is running on his experience as an attorney and says he supports universal healthcare and universal childcare. His campaign website said, "Christian is running for Congress because too often our government talks about fairness — but falls short when it comes to courageously fighting for working people. That needs to change. He will deliver bold, progressive leadership for New Hampshire." The New Hampshire House Progressive Caucus, Our Revolution, New Hampshire Youth Movement, and 350 Action endorsed Urrutia.

This is one of 59 open races for the U.S. House of Representatives this year in which an incumbent is not running for re-election. Across the country, 23 Democrats and 36 Republicans are not running for re-election. In 2024, 45 incumbents — 24 Democrats and 21 Republicans — did not seek re-election. As of August 2026, major race forecasters rated the general election in the district as Lean or Likely Democratic.

Carleigh Beriont, Sarah Chadzynski, Bill Conlin, Matthew Emerson, Heath Howard, and Sarah Bella Spinosa are also running. Beriont and Conlin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.