Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate race as Sununu concedes

Democratic congressman Chris Pappas has won New Hampshire’s US Senate race after Republican former senator John Sununu conceded. Pappas is the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.

Pappas will succeed retiring Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen, keeping the seat in his party’s hands. Republicans entered the election with 53 Senate seats; control of the chamber remains unresolved.

The Associated Press (AP) also called the race for Pappas. At his victory party, Pappas thanked Sununu for a concession call, The Guardian said.

Other Senate races

AP called North Carolina for former Democratic governor Roy Cooper, who defeated Republican Michael Whatley in a race for the seat held by retiring Republican Thom Tillis. Fox News’s Decision Desk also projected Cooper’s victory, a pickup for Democrats.

In Georgia, AP projected Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff’s reelection over Republican congressman Mike Collins, keeping that seat with the Democrats. Fox News’s Decision Desk made the same projection. AP also projected Republican Senator Ashley Moody’s victory over Democrat Angie Nixon in Florida’s special election.

AP called Virginia for Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who defeated Republican Bert Mizusawa. It also called reelection wins for Democrats in Delaware, New Jersey, Illinois, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Republicans held West Virginia’s Senate seat.

Deadline said Democrat Annie Andrews won South Carolina’s Senate race against appointed Republican Senator Darline Graham, flipping the seat.

Florida House results

AP called Florida’s 20th House district for Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz; The Guardian said she defeated Republican Brent Andersen. The Guardian also said Democrats Kathy Castor and Jared Moskowitz won reelection in the state’s 14th and 25th districts, defeating Republicans Mike Beltran and Scott Singer, respectively. It said Democrat Pia Dandiya beat Republican Casey Askar in the 22nd district.

What the calls mean

A news organization’s race call is not an official certification. AP calls a race when it determines that the trailing candidate has no path to victory, which can happen before all ballots are counted.

The remaining Senate results will determine which party controls a chamber that helps pass legislation and approves senior presidential appointments, including Supreme Court nominees.