Trump-backed candidate wins high-stakes GOP primary for New Hampshire battleground district
Trump‑backed Anthony DiLorenzo Wins New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District Republican Primary
In a night of tight campaigning, businessman Anthony DiLorenzo emerged as the Republican nominee for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, defeating state Representative Brian Cole and Novel Iron Works owner Hollie Noveletsky. The primary, held on Tuesday night, set the stage for a high‑stakes general‑election contest as the district’s Democratic incumbent, Rep. Chris Pappas, steps down to run for the U.S. Senate.
The 1st District, the smaller of New Hampshire’s two seats, covers the southern part of the state and includes Manchester, the state’s largest city. According to the non‑partisan Cook Partisan Voting Index, the district leans Democratic with a D+2 rating. Yet, the GOP’s choice of candidate and the open seat could make the race competitive in November.
DiLorenzo, who has built a business empire that includes a successful real‑estate venture, was endorsed by President Donald Trump in July. Trump praised DiLorenzo on Truth Social, describing him as a “very successful Businessman and Entrepreneur” who “understands the America First policies required to create great jobs, cut taxes and regulations, unleash American energy dominance, promote Made‑in‑the‑U.S.A., and champion our nation’s golden age.” The former president’s support was echoed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer.
During the campaign, DiLorenzo emphasized enforcement of immigration laws. He told voters, “I would start with the dangerous people, the criminals, the drug dealers, the human traffickers. The law is clear, and I support law enforcement and the enforcement of our laws.” He also spoke of a “path” for illegal immigrants who were working and had not committed crimes, a point that drew criticism from his rivals.
In a recent debate hosted by local television station WMUR, Noveletsky countered DiLorenzo’s stance. “Unlike Anthony, who is on record on Granite Discourse saying that if somebody came here illegally and was working that they should have a path, I disagree,” Noveletsky said. Her campaign website lists endorsements from a number of New Hampshire state officials and House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx of North Carolina.
Cole, a state representative, also ran in the primary but failed to gain the same traction. While the three candidates largely overlapped on many policy positions, the immigration debate was a key differentiator. DiLorenzo’s comments appeared on the “Granite Discourse” podcast, where he suggested that deportation efforts should focus on felons and violent criminals rather than all illegal immigrants.
The open seat was created by Rep. Pappas, a Democrat who won the 1st District in 2020 by just under ten percentage points over former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Pappas is now seeking a U.S. Senate seat, leaving the district to be contested by both parties.
With the district’s modest Democratic lean, the outcome of the general election will hinge on turnout and the appeal of the candidates on the campaign trail. DiLorenzo’s victory gives the Republican Party a nominee who has the backing of the Trump brand and key congressional leaders, but his focus on immigration enforcement and the district’s Democratic tilt may create a tough battle in the November election.
The New Hampshire Republican Party and its candidates will now shift their attention to the general‑election campaign, where they will need to broaden their message beyond the primary electorate to appeal to the district’s independent and moderate voters. The race remains one of the most watched in the state, as the 1st District could be a bellwether for the upcoming election cycle.