New Hampshire’s political arena just got a heavyweight contender with the return of a familiar name. John E. Sununu, a former Republican senator, has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 U.S. Senate race, aiming to reclaim a seat in the Granite State’s ever-shifting political landscape, as Fox News reports.
After nearly two decades in the private sector, Sununu is back to challenge for the seat currently held by retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, setting up a fierce GOP primary in New England’s only true swing state while facing off against other contenders like former Senator Scott Brown.
Sununu’s political roots run deep in New Hampshire, where he served as a three-term representative before unseating then-Governor Jeanne Shaheen in the 2002 Senate race. Though he lost the rematch to Shaheen in 2008, his family name carries weight—his father was a governor and White House chief of staff under President George H.W. Bush, and his brother Chris recently wrapped up four terms as governor. This isn’t just a comeback; it’s a legacy play.
Sununu didn’t mince words about why he’s jumping back into the fray after years away from the spotlight. “Congress just seems loud, dysfunctional, even angry,” he said, adding, “I want to return to the Senate to help calm the waters.” Well, Senator, good luck with that—Washington’s waters are more like a Category 5 hurricane these days, and it’ll take more than a steady hand to steer that ship.
His announcement came with a clear message of purpose, though one wonders if the partisan storm clouds will part for a moderate voice. Sununu’s past support for candidates like John Kasich in 2016 and Nikki Haley in the 2024 New Hampshire primary shows he’s not always in lockstep with the party’s current direction. That could be a strength—or a lightning rod—in a GOP primary.
Meanwhile, national Republicans are already lining up behind him, seeing Sununu as their best shot to flip this seat. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the Senate Leadership Fund have voiced strong support, while Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, a key Trump ally, took to social media to declare, “The @NRSC is all-in for @SununuSenator!” If that’s not a ringing endorsement, what is?
But Sununu isn’t waltzing into this race unopposed—former Senator Scott Brown, who briefly represented Massachusetts and ran for this same New Hampshire seat in 2014, is already in the fight. Brown, who narrowly lost to Shaheen back then, has been campaigning since late June and isn’t shy about touting his Trump-era credentials as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand. This primary is shaping up to be a clash of titans, or at least a clash of résumés.
Brown fired a sharp jab at Sununu’s long absence from politics and his private sector tenure, saying, “Anyone who thinks that a never-Trump, corporate lobbyist who hasn’t won an election in a quarter century will resonate with today’s GOP primary voters is living in a different universe.” Ouch—that’s the kind of barb that stings, though it conveniently sidesteps whether Brown’s own track record will hold up under scrutiny. After all, winning over today’s Republican base isn’t just about name recognition; it’s about loyalty to certain key figures.
Interestingly, former President Donald Trump has stayed neutral in this race so far, despite earlier urging Chris Sununu to run for the seat. Trump’s past praise for Chris, despite some rocky history during the 2024 primaries, suggests he’s keeping his powder dry for now. Will that neutrality hold, or will the primary force his hand?
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats aren’t sitting idly by as the GOP slugfest unfolds. Four-term Congressman Chris Pappas has emerged as the frontrunner for their nomination since launching his campaign in early April. With Republicans controlling the governor’s office and state legislature but failing to win a Senate seat since 2010, Pappas has a narrow window to keep this seat blue.
The New Hampshire Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee wasted no time slamming Sununu’s return. They’ve painted him as a corporate sellout who cashed in on Big Oil and Wall Street during his private sector years, hoping to tarnish his image before the race even heats up. It’s a predictable line of attack, but in a swing state like this, mudslinging might just stick if voters feel burned by establishment ties.
Let’s not forget the timeline—New Hampshire’s state primary isn’t until September 2026, one of the last in the nation. That gives both sides plenty of time to sharpen their knives and refine their messages. Will Sununu’s call for calmer waters resonate, or will Brown’s hard-charging style win the day?
For conservatives, this race is about more than just one seat—it’s a chance to expand the Senate majority and reclaim ground in a region often dominated by progressive policies. Sununu’s entry, backed by national GOP heavyweights, signals a belief that New Hampshire’s unique swing-state status makes it ripe for the taking. But only if the primary doesn’t fracture the party first.
As the 2026 election cycle looms, all eyes are on the Granite State to see if Sununu can leverage his name and experience—or if Brown’s closer alignment with certain GOP factions will tip the scales. One thing is certain: this won’t be a quiet race, and voters will have tough choices ahead. Here’s hoping the debate stays on policy, not personal grudges, because New Hampshire deserves better than a shouting match.
