The Pappas-Sununu Showdown Says Much About DIY Democrats in New Hampshire

The recent primary elections in New Hampshire have set the stage for a high-stakes showdown between Rep. Chris Pappas and former Sen. John E. Sununu, two candidates with vastly different visions for the state’s future. Their contest reflects the Democratic Party’s complex relationship with the DIY ethos.

Pappas and Sununu might seem like an odd pairing at first glance. Pappas is a progressive Democrat who has built his campaign on issues like healthcare and climate change, while Sununu is a more moderate Republican who positions himself as a pragmatic problem-solver. However, both candidates are tapping into the desire for self-reliance and DIY problem-solving – a hallmark of New Hampshire’s independent spirit.

The Granite State has long been known for its rugged individualism, where residents take pride in fixing their own cars, building their own homes, and solving their own problems. Despite this DIY ethos, the state has trended blue in recent years. In 2020, Joe Biden won New Hampshire’s four electoral votes by a margin of just over 5,000 votes – a testament to the state’s willingness to defy partisan expectations.

This trend poses a challenge for Democrats like Pappas who are trying to build on that momentum. They need to be more mindful of the DIY impulse and find ways to channel it into their policy agenda. In an era where voters are increasingly skeptical of government intervention, Democrats would do well to focus on empowering individuals and communities to take matters into their own hands.

Pappas’s proposal to increase funding for community-based projects addressing New Hampshire’s affordable housing crisis is a notable example. This approach acknowledges the DIY ethos while recognizing that real solutions will come from the ground up – not just from Washington or Concord. By empowering local residents and organizations, Democrats can tap into the state’s independent spirit while building a more inclusive and participatory democracy.

Sununu is attempting to co-opt this DIY impulse for his own purposes. His campaign emphasizes the need for “pragmatic problem-solving” – code for “let the experts handle it.” However, beneath this rhetoric lies a deeper concern: that Democrats are too focused on top-down solutions and not enough on empowering individuals to take control of their lives.

Sununu’s background as a senator is relevant here. As a moderate Republican, he has built a reputation for working across the aisle – but only if it serves his party’s interests. In this election, Sununu is trying to rebrand himself as a problem-solver who can get things done. However, this strategy may play well with independents and moderates but ultimately falls short of what voters are really looking for.

New Hampshire’s Senate showdown says that the Democratic Party needs to get back to basics. Instead of relying on top-down solutions or partisan posturing, Democrats should focus on empowering individuals and communities to take control of their own lives. By doing so, they can tap into the state’s independent spirit while building a more inclusive and participatory democracy – one that truly reflects the values of DIY Democrats everywhere.

The stakes are high in this election. It’s not just about who will represent New Hampshire in the Senate; it’s also about what kind of politics we want to see more of. Do we want a top-down approach relying on partisan posturing and government intervention, or do we want a bottom-up approach empowering individuals and communities to take control of their own lives?

The answer lies with the voters – particularly those who are skeptical of government but also concerned about issues like healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality. As they head to the polls in November, let’s hope that Pappas and Sununu will give them something to think about – not just in terms of policy proposals, but in terms of what kind of politics we want to see more of.

Ultimately, this election is a fixer-upper waiting for someone to take on the challenge. Will it be Pappas, with his progressive agenda and commitment to DIY empowerment? Or will it be Sununu, with his pragmatic problem-solving and top-down approach? Only time will tell – but one thing is clear: New Hampshire’s Senate showdown has the potential to shape not just the state’s politics, but also the national conversation about what kind of government we want.