Sununu, 61, is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat who ousted him in 2008.
Sununu must first win the primary though, and his past opposition to President Donald Trump could be problematic.
Sununu served three terms in the U.S. House before being elected to the Senate at age 38.
His father, John H. Sununu, is a former governor and former White House chief of staff.
He also shot down a bid this cycle, saying he had spoken to the White House but opted against it.
N. CONCORD. A. (AP) — Republican John E. A. Sununu declared a U campaign. A. Senate on Wednesday in an effort to win back a seat he lost almost twenty years ago and increase the GOP’s prospects of regaining support in an area that is predominately Democratic.
For the seat that U is leaving empty, Sununu, 61, is running for the Republican nomination. S. Sene. In 2008, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen overthrew him. Due to his decision, two former senators will compete in the primary: Republican Scott Brown, who served as Massachusetts’s representative before relocating to New Hampshire and losing to Shaheen in 2014, has been in the race since June.
Perhaps the news that I’m rerunning for the Senate surprises you. In a video announcement, Sununu stated, “I’m a little surprised myself. Someone has to take charge and turn down the heat. Why would anyone expose themselves to everything that is happening there at the moment? Something has to be done by someone. “.”.
Sununu is seen by national Republicans as a formidable contender who will enable them to launch an offensive in their bid to retain their majority in the chamber the following year.
Sununu’s arrival, according to statements from the Republican National Committee, creates “a formidable Republican field poised to make this seat competitive in 2026.”. A super PAC connected to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the Senate Leadership Fund, expressed their excitement about Sununu’s bid, saying it “expands the Senate map and puts the Granite State in play for Republicans).”. “”.
The Senate Republicans, who currently have a 53-47 lead, are fighting a number of well-known Democratic candidates for seats in North Carolina, Maine, and Ohio. However, Republicans are also advancing in states like Michigan, Georgia, and increasingly, New Hampshire. If they win one of those seats, Democrats won’t be able to control the chamber until at least 2028.
However, Sununu must first win the primary, and his prior criticism of President Donald Trump may cause issues. As Trump’s U.S. ambassador, Brown has been closely aligned with him. A. In the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Sununu, the ambassador to New Zealand, supported Nikki Haley and called Trump a “loser” in an opinion piece. “”.
In the general election, New Hampshire voters turned against Trump for the third time, despite his victory in the state’s leadoff primary. Since 2017, Democrats have controlled all four of New Hampshire’s congressional seats, but Republicans still hold the governor’s office and the statehouse.
A senior White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity and was not authorized to discuss private conversations said Sununu has been in contact with the White House regarding the Senate campaign.
Sununu was a member of the U.S. S. At the age of 38, he was elected to the Senate from the House. He highlighted the fact that he was the chamber’s youngest member during his tenure in a 2008 campaign ad that featured him running up a steep mountainside.
A deep-voiced narrator who is a little repetitive says, “He’s younger, faster, quicker.”. Never-ending. Not even tired. energetic. “”.
He is currently 16 years older than U and is the same age as Shaheen was when she beat him. A. Representative. Chris Pappas is the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination. According to Sununu, Congress has become “loud, dysfunctional, even angry” during his absence, but he hopes to return “to help calm the waters,” concentrating on issues like Social Security, the economy, veterans, and health care costs.
According to Pappas’ campaign, Sununu has been “cashing in and making millions selling out to corporations and working for special interests” for years, while he has been fighting to lower costs for working families, seniors, and small businesses. “.”.
Granite Staters will elect Chris Pappas to the U.S. Senate because he will oppose corporate special interests and fight for what’s best for New Hampshire. A. In a statement, campaign manager Rachel Petri stated, “Senate next November.”.
Due to the political prominence of his family, Sununu’s name recognition is still high even though he has been out of office for a long time. John H., his father. Sununu was a former governor and chief of staff of the White House. Chris Sununu, one of his brothers, ran for governor four times and considered running for the Senate in 2021. Additionally, he rejected a bid this cycle, claiming to have discussed it with the White House but decided against it.
.
