The stage has been set as voters prepare for their states’ primaries, which could have ramifications for control of the U.S. Congress.

In New Hampshire, candidates are vying for retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s position, among those is House Representative Chris Pappas.

Pappas, who serves New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, is considered the clear frontrunner ahead of the primaries, earning support from top Democratic leaders, most notably former Vice-President Kamala Harris.

His platform centers around equal rights, housing, education, affordability, and the economy.

Pappas’ strong presence within the Democratic Party has netted the Senate hopeful a robust campaign war chest of over $15 million, with spending of roughly $11.5 million during this political cycle.

However, his margin of victory is slightly narrowing, as a recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire showed his opponent, Karishma Manzur, narrowing his lead to 13 points.

Manzur has received support from Socialists and young voters ahead of the primaries, further bolstered by progressive wins in previous primaries throughout this political cycle, including those of Abdul El-Sayed and Angie Nixon.

Manzur’s platform includes ending corporate influence on elected officials, addressing the housing crisis, lowering the cost of living, and ensuring affordable healthcare.

Also eying Shaheen’s seat are two well-seasoned Republican candidates: former New Hampshire Sen. John E. Sununu and former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.

Sununu, who lost the Senate seat to Shaheen in 2008, is leading in the polls and has secured President Donald Trump's endorsement.

“John is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected Leaders in New Hampshire, and many Republicans in the U.S. Senate and, as your next Senator, he will work tirelessly to advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Currently, Sununu maintains a strong lead, 60% to 20%, over Brown in the primary, according to the UNH poll.

Brown, who represented Massachusetts in the Senate from 2010 to 2013 and was an ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa during Trump’s first term, draws on his military and diplomatic experience to help win his party’s nomination.

Seeing that Brown served in the President’s cabinet, it is noticeable that he was unable to secure an endorsement from Trump.

Sununu’s family has long been popular in New Hampshire, with John H. Sununu and Chris Sununu serving three and four terms as governor, respectively. Trump may have chosen to endorse Sununu, believing him to be the best candidate for the November election.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island voters head to the polls Wednesday, Sept. 9, for the state's 2026 primary elections.

The primary date shifted from its usual Tuesday slot because Labor Day falls on September 7 this year.

The Democratic primary for governor pits incumbent Dan McKee against Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive.

A late-August poll from the Emerson College Polling showed Foulkes leading 45% to McKee's 30% among likely Democratic primary voters, while 25% are undecided.

McKee's job approval stands at 20%, an all-time low in the survey, with particular dissatisfaction over cost-of-living issues, roads, and housing.

Republicans Aaron Guckian and Elaine Pelino are competing in their party's gubernatorial primary.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat seeking a sixth term, faces primary challengers Connor Burbridge and Luis Daniel Muñoz. Reed holds a strong lead in available polling.

Rhode Island uses semi-closed primaries, allowing registered party members and unaffiliated voters to participate in a party's primary.