Sununu Aims for Senate Comeback in New Hampshire
Former Republican Senator John E. Sununu from New Hampshire is looking to re-enter the political arena. On Wednesday, he officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 election to fill the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the only contested seat in New England.
In a campaign launch video shared on Fox News Digital, Sununu expressed his concerns about the current state of Congress, calling it “loud, dysfunctional, and even angry,” and emphasized his desire to return to the Senate to help “calm things down.”
Sununu previously served as a congressman, winning a Senate seat against then-Governor Shaheen in the 2002 elections, though he later lost to her in a 2008 rematch.
Originally announcing her departure from the race earlier this year, Shaheen’s exit has set the stage for a competitive election, with Republicans eager to flip seats and strengthen their Senate majority. After nearly two decades in the private sector, Sununu feels it’s time to reignite his political career in this critical battleground state.
In his video, Sununu admitted, “You might be surprised that I’m running for the Senate again. I’m a little surprised myself.” He pointedly remarked, “Someone’s got to step up and turn the temperature down.” It’s an interesting position, and you can’t help but wonder what drives someone back into that fray.
Sununu is a well-known figure in New Hampshire politics. His father, John H. Sununu, was previously a governor and later served as chief of staff under President George H.W. Bush. His younger brother, Chris Sununu, has been governor of New Hampshire for four terms.
However, the path to the Republican nomination isn’t straightforward. Scott Brown, a former senator from neighboring Massachusetts, has thrown his hat in the ring. He narrowly lost to Shaheen in a 2014 bid for re-election and is poised to challenge Sununu for the nomination.
Brown, who has recently raised around $1.2 million for his campaign, accused Sununu of lacking support for former President Donald Trump, who, as noted, remains a major figure in the Republican Party.
Sununu had previously served as national co-chair for the 2016 Republican presidential campaign and, along with his brother, backed Nikki Haley for the 2024 Republican presidential primary, which adds an interesting layer to their political dynamics.
Meanwhile, Brown’s prior endorsement of Trump bolsters his position among the party’s base. He criticized Sununu, implying that his private sector work makes him less relatable to current Republican primary voters.
While Trump has yet to take a public stance on the race, reports suggest that he values Sununu as a candidate who could help the party regain the New Hampshire Senate seat. In fact, Sununu has met with significant GOP figures in recent months who view him as a frontrunner.
In the meantime, four-term Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas has emerged as the leading candidate for his party’s nomination. The political landscape is undoubtedly heating up, especially with New Hampshire being a pivotal state in upcoming elections.
Republicans have faced challenges in Senate races in New Hampshire since 2010, despite their successes elsewhere in state elections. The upcoming primary next September will be a significant one, as it will be among the last in the nation.
