MANCHESTER — Democrat Chris Pappas of Manchester says he doesn't think his being gay will affect “in the least” his candidacy for Executive Council in District 4.

As part of his campaign fundraising effort, Pappas took in a “small amount'' of money June 15 at an event in Washington, d.c., hosted by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a political action committee focused on electing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to public offices. The fundraiser was co-hosted by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

Pappas has set a fundraising record for District 4 council candidates at this stage of the campaign. He reported to the Secretary of State's Office last week that he has raised $76,192 and spent $9,688, leaving $66,504 in cash on hand for the campaign.

Pappas, the owner of the Puritan Backroom Restaurant and a former Hillsborough County treasurer, is the only Democrat in the race for the seat being vacated by Republican Executive Councilor and former Manchester Mayor Raymond Wieczorek.

Republicans running for the seat are Chuck Rolecek of Bedford, owner of the Hanover Street Chophouse, state Sen. Tom DeBlois of Manchester, and Hillsborough County Treasurer Bob Burns, also of Bedford.

“We were very proud of what we were able to pull together,” Pappas said of his fundraising totals.

Pappas said that 88 percent of his contributions came from New Hampshire.

The Victory Fund PAC says on its website that since 1991, it has “helped thousands of openly LGBT candidates win election to local, state and federal offices.” Along with Shaheen, the June 15 fundraiser was co-hosted by former Human Rights Campaign Director Joe Solmonese and Maryland delegate Heather Mizeur, according to the Washington Blade's website.

“It was a nice group and a successful event,” Pappas told the Blade in a feature story on his candidacy.

Pappas told the New Hampshire Sunday News, “It was basically attended by a lot of friends who have come through New Hampshire at some point.”

Pappas does not believe that being a gay candidate puts him at a disadvantage in the campaign for the council seat.

“I don't think so in the least,” he said. “This is a very open-minded state.

“I'm thankful to live here in a very accepting environment and I don't think it's an issue that's going to come up on the campaign trail at all.”

Pappas said he has been “bowled over by the amount of support I've received” from New Hampshire residents.

Pappas is running because “there is an opportunity this year to push back against what's been happening in Concord and restore some balance and some responsibility to state government,” he said.