Pappas Ducks Debate After Slamming Sununu

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas has backed out of a scheduled U.S. Senate debate at New England College, months after accusing Republican opponent John Sununu of arrogance for skipping a debate of his own.

"I can confirm that Congressman Pappas has declined to participate," debate organizer Josh McElveen told NH Journal. The withdrawal comes after Pappas criticized Sununu earlier this year for declining a WMUR debate against primary rival Scott Brown, saying candidates who avoid debates feel "entitled" to their seats and are not willing to "earn it."

Sununu went on to beat Brown by roughly 44 points despite skipping that debate, a larger margin than Pappas managed against his own primary opponent. On primary night, Sununu challenged Pappas to ten county-by-county debates, declaring himself ready "any time, any place."

Pappas leads Sununu 46 percent to 41 percent in the RealClearPolling average. He is seeking a first term in the Senate after four terms in the House.

Longtime New Hampshire strategist Tom Rath said ducking a debate is typically "a sign of a candidate who thinks he is ahead and is playing it safe," while Republicans privately point to Pappas' shaky 2020 debate performance against Matt Mowers, still fueling GOP attack ads today, as a likely factor.

Pappas declined to explain the apparent contradiction with his earlier criticism of Sununu. He and Sununu are still expected to meet in debates hosted by NHPR and WMUR, leaving voters to judge for themselves which encounters he considers worth showing up for.