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New Hampshire and Rhode Island Primaries Kick Off 2026 Midterm Election Season
Just the facts
Primary elections took place across New Hampshire and Rhode Island following the Labor Day holiday weekend, launching key contests for control of Congress. A focal point of the primary balloting is New Hampshire's open U.S. Senate seat, vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Both major political parties are competing heavily in the state, where former Governor Chris Sununu and rival candidates seek nominations to secure the seat. President Donald Trump and national party strategists actively campaigned to influence primary turnouts ahead of the November midterms. Advocacy organizations and legal groups filed lawsuits challenging executive directives related to voting procedures as both parties prepare for competitive legislative campaigns.
Why this is news
Voters in New Hampshire and Rhode Island headed to the polls to select party nominees for federal, state, and local offices, marking the formal start of the 2026 general midterm election season.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.