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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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A series of social-media posts have sparked surprise as people are realizing that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously ran for Congress in 2022.
The renewed attention highlights how quickly Leavitt’s political trajectory has accelerated in just a few years, moving from congressional candidate to one of the most-visible spokespersons in American politics.
The moment went viral after New Hampshire Democratic Representative Chris Pappas reposted a screenshot of a user saying they "always forget that this election happened." Pappas responded simply, "I don’t…”, alongside the results of their 2022 matchup.
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Leavitt's 2022 Campaign
The post quickly gained traction across X and other platforms with thousands of likes and hundreds of comments, with users resharing the image and debating Leavitt’s rise within Republican politics.
Pappas defeated Leavitt that year in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, winning by 54.1 percent to 45.9 percent. The resurfaced post has led thousands of users to express shock that Leavitt, who was just 25 at the time, had already run a high‑profile congressional campaign.
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Leavitt’s bid drew national attention at the time because she was campaigning to become one of the youngest members of Congress. At the time, her age was presented as an advantage, and she was labeled a "new voice" in conservative leadership. Her campaign messaging emphasized generational change, positioning herself as an outsider willing to challenge long-standing political norms.
Leavitt’s campaign aligned closely with President Donald Trump, and she framed herself as part of a younger, more combative wing of the GOP. The Associated Press reported that she frequently criticized establishment Republicans and leaned into cultural battles dominating conservative media. That approach earned her strong support from Trump loyalists, while also drawing criticism from Democrats and moderate voters in the district.
Despite her loss to Pappas, the race boosted her national profile—something many users admit they had forgotten until the resurfaced graphic began making the rounds this week.
After quoting the viral post, Pappas followed up with another message aimed at his 2024 Senate race, writing: "I beat Karoline Leavitt in 2022. And in November we can win this Senate race—but I need your help."
The election for the open U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire is scheduled for November 3, 2026. With a primary on September 8, the race will decide who succeeds retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and could help determine control of the closely divided Senate. Pappas faces a Democratic primary challenge from Karishma Manzur and Republicans including former U.S. Senator Scott Brown and others vying to flip the seat.
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