A journey that began in Greece, continued across the Atlantic, and reached all the way to the United States Senate has its roots in Livadi, a small village near Elassona. Chris Pappas, a fourth-generation descendant of Greek immigrants, has been elected Senator for New Hampshire, marking a historic milestone on the American political stage. For Elassona, however, his election carries a special local significance: his family roots are there.
The joy and pride of the local community is conveyed by the Mayor of Elassona, Nikos Gatsas, who spoke to parapolitika.gr and extended his congratulations to the newly elected senator. As he noted, Pappas is a man who, despite being a fourth-generation diaspora Greek, maintains a strong connection to his Greek heritage. “He is from our land and he makes us proud” — that message captures the significance of his election for the region.
Mayor Gatsas also expressed hope that Chris Pappas will use his new position to further strengthen cooperation between Greece and the United States, and to advance issues that affect Greek interests.
At a local level, the municipal authority is eagerly anticipating a visit from Pappas to Elassona, so that he can personally discover the village where his family’s story began.
Chris Pappas: From the family restaurant in Manchester to Harvard and a career in politics
Christopher Charles Pappas was born on June 4, 1980, in Manchester, New Hampshire. His family has roots in Livadi, near Elassona, from where his ancestors emigrated to the United States. There, they built a new life while preserving the traditions and values of their Greek heritage.
He grew up in Manchester, attended public schools, and graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1998. He went on to study at Harvard University, graduating in 2002 with a degree in government.
A defining part of his life has been the family business. From the age of 14, he worked at the Puritan Backroom, the family’s restaurant in Manchester, which first opened its doors in 1917. The business was passed down through generations, and Pappas gradually took on an active role in its management. That experience shaped his political identity, as he has repeatedly highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses and working people.
His involvement in politics began at a young age. In 1996, he participated in Jeanne Shaheen’s gubernatorial campaign in New Hampshire. In 2002, at just 22 years old, he was elected to the state’s House of Representatives. He subsequently served as Hillsborough County Treasurer and as a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council from 2013 to 2019.
In 2018, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district. He served four consecutive terms, focusing on transportation, infrastructure, small businesses, and veterans’ affairs. His policy priorities include reducing the cost of living and prescription drugs, supporting working families, and protecting small businesses.
Greek heritage and national issues
His Greek heritage has never been separate from his political work. As co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, the bipartisan congressional group focused on Greek affairs, he has participated in initiatives to strengthen U.S.–Greece relations and advance the positions of both Athens and Nicosia.
He has supported defense cooperation between the two countries and has opposed the sale of American F-35 fighter jets to Turkey as long as Ankara retains the Russian S-400 missile system in its arsenal. He has also condemned Turkey’s military presence in occupied northern Cyprus.
His victory in the November 3rd election over Republican John E. Sununu carries historic significance: Pappas becomes the first openly gay man ever elected to the U.S. Senate.
For Elassona, behind the political achievement lies a family story that began in Livadi. And the community’s hope is that this journey will soon have one final symbolic chapter — a visit by the new senator to the land of his ancestors.
