The New Hampshire Republican Party has accused Representative Chris Pappas of supporting high-tax policies, aligning him with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on issues such as income and sales tax. This announcement was made on the social media platform X.
According to Fox News political analyst Paul Steinhauser, Governor Pritzker issued a fundraising email in support of Rep. Pappas’s campaign for the U.S. Senate. This move followed Pritzker’s participation as a headliner at the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s spring gala. The New Hampshire Republican Party views this as evidence of a political alliance that mirrors Illinois’ high-tax agenda.
The Tax Foundation’s 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index ranks Illinois 37th in overall tax climate due to its high income and sales tax rates. The state has an average combined state and local sales tax exceeding 8.8% and applies a flat income tax rate of 4.95%. These policies have been associated with fiscal pressures in Illinois, which the New Hampshire GOP warns could be replicated in New Hampshire if Pappas adopts similar approaches.
In 2022, the New Hampshire Journal reported that Rep. Chris Pappas supported expanded IRS enforcement and revenue-raising measures in the Build Back Better Act. The proposal included increased tax reporting requirements, which critics argued would disproportionately affect middle-class and small business taxpayers. The New Hampshire Republican Party cited this as further proof that Pappas endorses national tax expansion inconsistent with the state’s no-income-tax model.
The New Hampshire Republican Party is the official state affiliate of the Republican National Committee, supporting conservative principles such as low taxation, limited government, and individual freedom. The party endorses Republican candidates for state and federal offices and plays an active role in legislative advocacy, utilizing digital platforms like X to engage with voters and highlight contrasts between Republican and Democratic policy agendas.