Eddie Edwards, Chris Pappas Win NH Congressional Races

FIRST DISTRICT, NH — Republican Eddie Edwards and Democrat Chris Pappas on Tuesday won their primary races for Congress and will face off in the November election. The pair are running for the Congresswoman's Carol Shea-Porter's First District seat. Shea-Porter is retiring and the First District seat is considered a key swing district in November.

Edwards is a former South Hampton police chief and New Hampshire Liquor Commission member. Pappas is currently an executive councilor representing District 4.

The fields for both races were crowded. Pappas defeated 10 other candidates — including Levi Sanders, the son of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Edwards beat out five other candidates, including second-place finisher Andy Sanborn, a state senator.

For four terms, Shea-Porter has represented the First District, which covers the eastern part of the state — including Manchester, the biggest city in New Hampshire. She announced last year she is retiring from her seat.

The First District includes the Patch communities of Portsmouth, Hampton, Exeter, Merrimack, Bedford and Londonderry.

Shea-Porter, of Rochester, is currently part of New Hampshire's all-woman, Democratic congressional delegation. Fellow Congresswoman Ann Kuster, representing the Second District, ran unopposed in Tuesday's primary.

New Hampshire Primary Results For First District Congress Seat: Democrats

• Chris Pappas: 42 percent of the vote (winner)
• Maura Sullivan: 30 percent
• Mindi Messmer: 10 percent
• Naomi Andrews: 7 percent
• Lincoln Soldati: 3 percent
• Deaglan McEachern: 3 percent
• Levi Sanders: 2 percent
• Mark Mackenzie: 1 percent
• Terence O'Rourke: 1 percent
• Paul Cardinal: 0.5 percent
• William Martin: 0.4 percent

New Hampshire Primary Results For First District Congress Seat: Republicans

• Eddie Edwards: 48 percent (winner)
• Andy Sanborn: 42 percent
• Andy Martin: 4 percent
• Michael Callis: 3 percent
• Jeffory Denaro: 2 percent
• Bruce Crochetiere: 2 percent

Source: Associated Press with 100 percent of precincts reporting for Democrats and 99 percent for Republicans

More New Hampshire Primary Results:

Steve Negron Declared Winner In NH Congressional Race

Molly Kelly Wins NH Democratic Nod For Governor

Bernie Sanders' Son Trounced In NH Congressional Race

Photo credit: Chris Pappas (left) and Eddie Edwards via New Hampshire State Police (right)