In a competitive Senate race in New Hampshire, former U.S. Senator Scott Brown is launching a grassroots campaign that could significantly influence which party holds power in the Senate come 2026.
During an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday, Brown laid out his intentions for a Senate comeback, underscoring New Hampshire’s potential importance in the national power dynamic. With Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen stepping down, the seat represents a crucial chance for Republicans to increase their narrow majority.
Brown, a former senator from Massachusetts who previously ran for the New Hampshire Senate in 2014, is branding himself as an outsider in opposition to the political establishment. Speaking with host Matthew Boyle, he reported more than 800 supporters and $1.2 million raised recently. “Ever since Johnny announced, people have been flocking to me,” he noted, referencing his main rival, former Senator John Sununu.
Sununu’s entry has made the Republican primary fiercely competitive, which Brown characterized as “a total dogfight.” He pointed out that Sununu has been away from New Hampshire politics for close to twenty years, and he raised questions about Sununu’s associations with a major bank and the World Economic Forum, which Brown believes may not resonate well with voters. Moreover, he highlighted Sununu’s previous criticisms of former President Trump, arguing that such sentiments diverge from the state’s Republican base.
Many voters, Brown claimed, either don’t recognize John Sununu or confuse him with better-known family members. “They say, ‘We’re glad Chris is running.’ ‘It’s not Chris, it’s John.’ They say, ‘Who the hell is John?'” he remarked, emphasizing that Sununu’s low name recognition and long absence may alienate him from voters compared to his own more personal approach to campaigning.
Polling data cited by Brown indicates he has a 30% approval rating while Sununu holds a 39% approval rating, with 39% of voters still undecided. Brown sees this significant number of undecided voters as a favorable sign for his campaign, sharing how personal interactions have helped him gain support. “It’s literally one vote at a time,” he stated.
This grassroots strategy is central to Brown’s campaign and reminiscent of his victory in the 2010 Massachusetts special election. He noted that although national Republican leadership typically backs establishment candidates, their recent track record in New Hampshire—like endorsing Chuck Morse over Don Bolduc—hasn’t yielded success. “So-called insiders in Washington, D.C., don’t have a good track record,” he reflected.
Brown proposed that voters should have a direct comparison of candidates and urged for an immediate debate with Sununu. “He’s got to come out and earn it,” Brown insisted, claiming that Sununu has been aloof regarding public appearances. He disagreed with the notion that Washington insiders could sway New Hampshire voters, questioning, “When is that going to work?”
Broadening the context of his campaign, Brown highlighted New Hampshire’s role in the national political setting. He framed the race as crucial for determining Republican control of the Senate, warning that a Democratic win could lead to significant changes like eliminating the filibuster and altering the Supreme Court, which he believes would influence the political landscape permanently. “We will lose the House and the Senate, and the madness will begin,” he cautioned.
A former ambassador to New Zealand under Trump also talked about U.S.-China relations, applauding Trump’s strategy of applying economic pressure on China. Brown noted that there is “power in numbers” and pointed out China’s economic struggles, asserting, “They need us more than we need them,” and expressed approval of Trump’s economic approach.
On the domestic front, Brown discussed key issues raised by voters, particularly high heating costs, housing prices, and general living expenses. Although he acknowledged recent decreases in gas and food prices, he maintained that the core issues persist. He criticized the term “affordable,” suggesting it implies government overreach and a loss of personal liberty, and proposed solutions like reducing bureaucracy and deregulation to alleviate economic strains.
Highlighting local infrastructure needs, Brown advocated for a complete VA hospital and federal funding for necessary road and bridge repairs. He criticized current Democratic Congress members from New Hampshire for lacking influence due to their opposition to the president, remarking, “It’s just laughable.”
Brown pointed out that the national Senate landscape is becoming more competitive, with important races across states like Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Kentucky, while redistricting in Texas could impact the House. He emphasized that even a small state like New Hampshire might be pivotal in determining Senate control, stating, “If you look around the country on a map, the Senate map is shrinking.”
