Americans for Prosperity Endorses John E. Sununu for Senate Bid

The political branch of a fiscally conservative advocacy group is stepping into the Republican Senate primary. The outcome could influence crucial seats in battleground states next year, which Republicans are eager to flip.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP Action) revealed on Monday its support for former Republican Senator John E. Sununu, as he vies to reclaim his Senate position in 2026, aiming to replace the retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire.

The race for New Hampshire’s Senate seat is pivotal for the upcoming midterm elections, which will be critical for the Republicans not just to maintain but also to extend their majority in the chamber.

AFP’s endorsement of Sununu, who is contending for the Republican nomination against former Senator Scott Brown, was initially covered by Fox News Digital on the same day.

“John Sununu is precisely the principled leader New Hampshire needs in the U.S. Senate,” stated Nathan Nascimento, AFP’s operations director. He emphasized Sununu’s strong ties to the state and his history of advocating for limited government, cutting unnecessary spending, and supporting sound regulatory reforms, which make him especially suited to represent New Hampshire in Washington.

This endorsement marks the third in the 2026 Senate race, following those from former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley of North Carolina and former Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan. However, it’s noteworthy that this is AFP’s inaugural endorsement in a Senate race where Donald Trump has maintained neutrality.

Sununu, a three-time former congressman, previously triumphed over then-Governor Shaheen in 2002 before losing to her in a rematch in 2008. Shaheen has declared her intention not to seek re-election in the upcoming elections, prompting Republicans to focus on flipping the seat to secure and potentially enlarge their current 53-47 Senate majority.

After nearly two decades away from politics, Sununu is back on the campaign trail in this key battleground state.

It’s been a long time—15 years since Republicans won a Senate election in New Hampshire. Yet, Sununu feels optimistic he can break this trend, asserting, “This is a race we know we can win. It’s about the right message, the right issues, and the right person.”

His political legacy is significant in New Hampshire, with his father, John H. Sununu, having served as governor and later as chief of staff under President George H.W. Bush. Additionally, his younger brother, Chris Sununu, has held the governorship for multiple terms.

Though his path to the nomination has faced obstacles, notably with Brown’s entry into the race, Sununu remains committed. Brown, who previously served in Massachusetts, narrowly lost to Shaheen in 2014 before deciding to run again in New Hampshire.

Brown recently expressed confidence in his campaign’s funding and strategy: “Our campaign has the resources we need, and I intend to engage with voters through hard work and retail politics, as expected by Granite State voters.”

AFP Action’s teams evaluated both candidates before putting their weight behind Sununu. Greg Moore, AFP’s regional director, remarked, “John E. Sununu exemplifies New Hampshire’s values of accountable governance, personal responsibility, and free markets. He offers a solution to what’s lacking in Washington today, and he’ll make the state proud in the Senate.”

Plaudits go to AFP, a robust grassroots organization established by the Koch brothers, for their significant impact in previous election cycles, where they reached millions of voters. Expectations for the 2026 cycle are high, with an aim to surpass previous efforts.

Looking ahead, the Republicans’ objective is to increase their Senate majority to 53-47, targeting key Democratic seats including Shaheen’s and others in states like Michigan and Georgia.

Moore believes this race has the potential to be among the most competitive nationwide, asserting that AFP Action can play a crucial role in aiding Sununu’s return to the Senate.

The Republican primary next September will likely see Sununu facing Chris Pappas, a four-term Democratic member from New Hampshire, who is the leading candidate for the party’s nomination.