HRC president rallies for Chris Pappas in New Hampshire

Kelley Robinson hits the campaign trail for the openly gay congressman ahead of a crucial primary.

Told by Peter Ashford · 1 September 2026

On August 30, Kelley Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, took to the streets of Manchester, New Hampshire, to support U.S. Representative Chris Pappas in his bid to succeed retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. With the primary just days away on September 8, Robinson's presence underscores the significance of this election for the LGBTQ+ community.

Pappas, who is already making waves as an openly gay congressman, aims to continue that momentum as he competes against Karishma Manzur and others in the Democratic primary. Recent polling from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center shows Pappas leading his Democratic challengers. However, he faces a tougher challenge in a potential general election matchup against Republican frontrunner John Sununu, who currently leads Pappas by a slim margin.

If Pappas secures the seat, he would not only continue to represent New Hampshire's interests but also make history as the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate. As the campaign heats up, the stakes for LGBTQ+ representation in Congress could not be higher.