In a lively debate held in Concord on October 26, Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas and Republican former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu faced off over who can best address the affordability crisis affecting New Hampshire families. Both candidates are vying for the open U.S. Senate seat that could tip the balance of power in Washington.
Trump’s policies become a focal point
Pappas opened by linking Sununu to President Trump, asserting that the former senator had supported the president’s war‑of‑choice in Iran from the outset. “The recklessness of Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East is raising prices, and New Hampshire families can’t afford it,” Pappas said, adding that Sununu had praised the operation in June before changing his stance.
Sununu pushed back, emphasizing his consistent opposition to any boots‑on‑the‑ground approach. “I’ve always opposed boots on the ground. Chris exaggerates,” he told the audience, referencing remarks he made on the local program “CloseUp” months ago, where he warned that an attack on Iran without a clear plan would jeopardize the Strait of Hormuz.
Debate over the roots of inflation
The discussion quickly turned to the drivers of today’s high cost of living. Sununu argued that the problem predates the Trump administration, pointing to inflation under the previous administration. “Under Joe Biden, prices went up 20%, 9% in one year, the highest inflation since the ’70s,” he said, and blamed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for further price pressures.
Pappas countered that President Trump’s tariff policies and the ongoing conflict in Iran are the primary culprits. “Donald Trump calls affordability a hoax. He says this is a golden age for America, yet he’s pulling every lever to make things more expensive—from the war in the Middle East to tariffs on essential goods,” he argued.
Policy proposals and Senate strategy
Both candidates outlined how they would address the crisis if elected. Pappas said Democrats could block Trump’s policies if they gain control of the Senate, urging voters to “rein in” the administration’s spending and tariff measures to protect families.
Sununu, meanwhile, highlighted his experience in the Senate and promised to work across the aisle to craft pragmatic solutions, stressing that his record shows a willingness to oppose costly foreign engagements and to seek market‑based approaches to inflation.
Fact‑check component
The debate was accompanied by a live fact‑check from PolitiFact, which provided real‑time verification of the candidates’ claims. Viewers were directed to the PolitiFact website for detailed analysis of each point raised during the discussion.
Two more debates are scheduled for Thursday, giving New Hampshire voters additional opportunities to evaluate the candidates before the November election.
Original reporting: WMUR (Hearst) – local news — read the source article.
