Chris Pappas

Chris Pappas
Born	Christopher Charles Pappas 4 6, 1980
Birthplace	Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Hlist
Known for	U.S. Representative for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district
Education	Harvard University (BA)

Christopher Charles Pappas (born June 4, 1980) is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. Representative for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Pappas has represented the district — which encompasses the eastern half of New Hampshire, including the city of Manchester and the Seacoast Region — through multiple terms in Congress. Before his election to federal office, he served in the New Hampshire Executive Council and the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Pappas is also a businessman with ties to the Puritan Backroom, a well-known Manchester restaurant that has been operated by his family for generations. In 2026, Pappas launched a campaign for the United States Senate seat held by Jeanne Shaheen, who announced her retirement, positioning himself as a leading Democratic candidate in a competitive race. He is one of the first openly gay members of Congress from New Hampshire and has built a legislative record focused on veterans' issues, transportation, small business policy, and immigration oversight.

Early Life

Chris Pappas was born on June 4, 1980, in Manchester, New Hampshire. He grew up in a family with deep roots in the Manchester community, particularly through their ownership and operation of the Puritan Backroom, a restaurant that has been a local institution in Manchester for decades. The Pappas family's Greek-American heritage and long-standing presence in the restaurant industry shaped much of his upbringing, instilling in him an understanding of small business operations and community engagement.

Pappas was raised in Manchester and attended local schools in the area. His family's involvement in the restaurant business meant that he was exposed from a young age to the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, customer service, and managing a workforce. The Puritan Backroom, which has served as a gathering place for politicians, families, and community members alike, provided a backdrop for Pappas's early exposure to civic life and public affairs. The restaurant has remained a fixture in New Hampshire's political culture, frequently hosting campaign events and political gatherings, including events during his own political career.

Education

Pappas attended Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His time at Harvard provided him with a foundation in public policy and governance that would inform his subsequent career in both business and politics. After completing his undergraduate education, Pappas returned to New Hampshire, where he became involved in both the family business and local government.

Career

Early Political Career

Pappas began his political career in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where he served as a state legislator representing his Manchester-area district. His tenure in the state legislature provided him with experience in the legislative process and an understanding of state-level policy issues. He subsequently won election to the New Hampshire Executive Council, a five-member body unique to New Hampshire's state government that serves in an advisory and approval capacity alongside the governor. On the Executive Council, Pappas participated in decisions regarding state contracts, judicial nominations, and other executive functions.

Throughout his early political career, Pappas established himself as a moderate Democrat with a focus on fiscal responsibility, economic development, and constituent services. His background as a small business operator informed his approach to policy, and he frequently advocated for measures that he argued would support New Hampshire's business community and working families.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 2018, Pappas ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, a swing district that had changed hands between the two major parties multiple times in recent election cycles. He won the Democratic primary and went on to win the general election, becoming one of the first openly gay members of Congress elected from New Hampshire.

Upon taking office in January 2019, Pappas was assigned to committee positions that aligned with his policy interests. Over the course of his tenure in the House, he focused on a range of issues including veterans' affairs, transportation and infrastructure, small business support, and oversight of federal agencies.

Pappas faced competitive reelection campaigns in subsequent cycles, reflecting the swing nature of his district. He was reelected in 2020 and again in 2022 and 2024, each time navigating a political landscape in which New Hampshire's 1st district remained one of the most closely watched House races in the country.

Legislative Work

In Congress, Pappas has been involved in legislative efforts spanning multiple policy areas. He has co-sponsored and supported legislation related to veterans' healthcare, infrastructure investment, and government accountability.

In February 2026, Pappas and Senator Jeanne Shaheen introduced bicameral legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to notify Congress and acquire local approval before opening new processing and detention facilities. The legislation was introduced in response to a proposal by DHS to establish an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing and detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, which drew significant concern from local residents and officials. The bill reflected Pappas's position that local communities should have a voice in decisions about the siting of federal immigration enforcement facilities within their borders.

The proposed Merrimack ICE facility became a significant issue in New Hampshire politics in early 2026. The New Hampshire congressional delegation, including Pappas, sought engagement from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on the proposal, urging her to address local concerns about the facility's potential impact on the community.

Pappas has also engaged in bipartisan legislative work. In February 2026, he co-introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the 175th anniversary of the YMCA, joining Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05) and Chuck Edwards in the effort. Pappas served as Co-Chair of the Congressional Camp Caucus, reflecting his interest in youth development and community organizations.

Immigration and DHS Oversight

Immigration policy and federal enforcement operations in New Hampshire have been recurring areas of focus for Pappas during his time in Congress. The 2026 debate over the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack highlighted the intersection of federal immigration enforcement and local governance that Pappas has sought to address through legislation. In introducing the bill requiring congressional notification and local approval for new DHS facilities, Pappas positioned himself as an advocate for transparency and community input in federal decision-making.

The issue drew national attention when former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited New Hampshire in February 2026 and publicly condemned the Merrimack ICE proposal during a campaign stop at the Puritan Backroom with Pappas. The event underscored the degree to which the ICE facility proposal had become intertwined with the 2026 Senate race and broader Democratic Party politics in New Hampshire.

2026 U.S. Senate Campaign

In 2026, Pappas launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate, seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. The race was considered one of the most competitive Senate contests in the country, given New Hampshire's status as a battleground state with a history of close elections.

Pappas's Senate campaign attracted early support from national Democratic figures. In February 2026, former U.S. Transportation Secretary and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg traveled to New Hampshire to campaign on Pappas's behalf. Buttigieg made stops at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, where he and Pappas spoke with diners and discussed issues including the 2026 and 2028 elections, DHS and ICE policies, and the political landscape in New Hampshire.

Buttigieg's visit to New Hampshire fueled speculation about his potential interest in the 2028 presidential race, given the state's historical role as the site of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. However, the visit was primarily framed as an expression of support for Pappas's Senate bid. Coverage from The Boston Globe noted that Buttigieg appeared alongside Pappas and other New Hampshire Democrats during the visit, highlighting the interconnected nature of Democratic Party organizing in the state.

The Senate campaign represented a significant step in Pappas's political career, transitioning from a competitive House seat to a statewide race. His campaign emphasized themes consistent with his House tenure, including support for small businesses, veterans, infrastructure investment, and accountability in federal government operations. The proposed ICE facility in Merrimack served as an early focal point of the campaign, allowing Pappas to draw a contrast with the incumbent administration's immigration enforcement approach while advocating for local community input.

Business Career

In addition to his political career, Pappas has been involved in the operation of the Puritan Backroom, his family's restaurant in Manchester. The restaurant, which has been a fixture of the Manchester dining and political scene for decades, has served as a venue for numerous political events, including campaign stops by candidates for local, state, and federal office. The Puritan Backroom's role in New Hampshire's political culture was underscored by the February 2026 campaign event at which Buttigieg appeared in support of Pappas's Senate campaign.

Pappas's dual identity as both a politician and a small business operator has been a recurring theme in his political messaging, with his experience running a family restaurant informing his positions on small business taxation, labor policy, and economic development.

Personal Life

Pappas is openly gay, making him one of the first openly gay members of Congress from New Hampshire when he was first elected in 2018. He resides in Manchester, New Hampshire, and has maintained close ties to the community where he grew up and where his family's restaurant continues to operate.

Pappas's identity as an openly gay elected official has been noted in the context of broader discussions about LGBTQ representation in American politics, though he has generally focused his public messaging on economic, fiscal, and governance issues rather than identity-based advocacy.

Recognition

Pappas's election to Congress in 2018 was recognized as a milestone for LGBTQ representation in New Hampshire politics. His subsequent reelection victories in a competitive swing district have been noted by political analysts and media organizations as evidence of his electoral resilience in a challenging political environment.

His legislative work on veterans' issues, transportation policy, and government oversight has earned him recognition from various advocacy organizations and constituent groups, though specific award details from these organizations are not documented in the available sources.

The attention drawn by Pete Buttigieg's February 2026 visit to New Hampshire on behalf of Pappas's Senate campaign reflected the national significance of the race and the degree to which Pappas had become a prominent figure in Democratic Party politics in the state.