Trump’s Business Bro Wins Heated Primary

Anthony DiLorenzo, a Portsmouth businessman backed by President Trump, won New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District Republican primary in a decisive victory over three rivals.

Story Snapshot

The Associated Press called the race for DiLorenzo on September 8, 2026, naming him the Republican nominee for New Hampshire’s 1st District.
DiLorenzo led with 51.6% of the vote and 27,516 ballots counted, well ahead of runner-up Hollie Noveletsky’s 26.3%.
President Trump’s endorsement helped DiLorenzo, a political newcomer, beat out state Representative Brian Cole and two other candidates.
DiLorenzo now faces Democrat Stefany Shaheen, who narrowly won her own primary, in what both parties call a top battleground race this fall.

A Decisive Win In A Crowded Republican Field

Anthony DiLorenzo took the Republican nomination for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District on September 8, 2026. The Associated Press (AP) called the race, declaring DiLorenzo the party’s pick to compete this November. He beat three other Republicans, including Novel Iron Works owner Hollie Noveletsky and state Representative Brian Cole, in a primary many watched closely because of Trump’s backing.

Vote totals told a clear story. With 88% of precincts reporting, DiLorenzo held 51.6% of the vote, translating to 27,516 ballots. Noveletsky trailed at 26.3%, and Cole sat further back at 14.1%. That gap left little doubt about the outcome long before final numbers came in, and market-based election trackers reportedly pushed DiLorenzo’s odds of winning above 99% within an hour of polls closing.

DiLorenzo, age 62, built his career in the automotive industry before entering politics. The New York Times described him as an automotive executive whose business background became a central part of his campaign pitch to voters weary of career politicians. His win marks a rare instance of a total political outsider capturing a major party nomination in a battleground district.

Trump’s Endorsement And What It Signals For November

President Trump’s endorsement carried real weight in this race, and it fits a pattern seen across the 2026 midterm cycle. Ballotpedia found Trump-backed candidates winning roughly 98% of their primaries this cycle, a success rate political analysts call nearly unmatched in modern history. DiLorenzo’s win adds another name to that list, reinforcing Trump’s continued grip on Republican primary voters nationwide.

Trump has also changed his approach compared to past cycles. National Public Radio (NPR) reported his 2026 endorsements came an average of seven months before primary day, compared to just seven weeks back in 2018. That earlier timing gave DiLorenzo months to build name recognition and fundraising momentum, likely helping him clear the crowded four-way field with relative ease.

The General Election Matchup Now Takes Shape

DiLorenzo will face Democrat Stefany Shaheen, who edged out Maura Sullivan in a much tighter Democratic primary decided by a narrow margin. Shaheen, a former Portsmouth city council member, carries a well-known family name in New Hampshire politics, setting up a contest between an established Democratic figure and a Republican newcomer with deep pockets and presidential backing.

New Hampshire’s 1st District has swung between parties in recent election cycles, making it one of the most closely watched House races in the country this fall. Al Jazeera’s review of the primary results flagged the district as a genuine battleground, noting DiLorenzo’s win alongside other competitive New Hampshire contests decided the same night. Both parties now shift full attention toward the general election.

NH primary sets up Sununu vs. Pappas and Shaheen vs. DiLorenzo in midterms https://t.co/z9ViY7mLVi

— Fosters Daily Democrat (@FostersDailyDem) September 9, 2026

DiLorenzo’s personal wealth adds another layer to the race. Reports before the primary noted he stood ready to deploy significant personal resources to compete in the general election, a factor that could reshape spending dynamics in a district both parties consider winnable. Voters in New Hampshire’s 1st District now face a clear choice between two well-funded, high-profile campaigns heading into November.