Chris Pappas made history as New Hampshire's first openly gay member of Congress when he was elected in 2018, bringing his background as a small business owner and restaurant operator to Washington. A moderate Democrat who has emphasized bipartisan cooperation, he focuses heavily on veterans' affairs, healthcare access, and supporting small businesses, drawing from his experience running his family's restaurant business in Manchester. Pappas has positioned himself as a pragmatic voice willing to work across the aisle, particularly on issues affecting New Hampshire's large veteran population and rural communities.