Copyright NBC10 Boston
Former Republican Sen. John Sununu is looking to make a political comeback in New Hampshire, announcing Wednesday morning that he will be running for the U.S. Senate again. Sununu, who is part of a political dynasty in NH, represented the Granite State in the Senate from 2003 through 2008 after serving in the House. He lost his bid for re-election in 2008 to Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who is now retiring. "It's ben a while since you elected me to serve New Hampshire and boy have things changed. Washington's never been perfect. Its not meant to be. But when I was there, people with different opinions could get together, work things out and come to solutions that make a real difference. And now Congress just seems loud, dysfunctional, even angry. But Granite Staters still talk. We don't always agree but we respect one another and work together for the common good. That's the New Hampshire way," Sununu said in a campaign video posted to Facebook. "Maybe you're surprised to hear that I'm running for the Senate again. I'm a bit surprised myself. Why would anyone subject themselves to everything going on there right now? Well, somebody has to step up and lower the temperature. Somebody has to get things done. Laser focus on the economy, jobs, our debt and making our lives more affordable. Somebody has to protect Medicare, do a better job for our veterans, and really tackle our health care costs. And on Social Security, we keep our promises to seniors. All of them. Over 12 years I never voted to cut benefits and I never will." Sununu said he'd be honored to have people's support and return to the Senate "to help calm the waters," saying the New Hampshire way -- freedom, hard work and independence -- needs to be the American way. "As Senator, I'll have just one job. Stand up for the people of New Hampshire every single day," he concluded. Local In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston and New England area. Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who served as an ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa during President Donald Trump’s first term, is also running for Senate in New Hampshire again, after losing to Shaheen in 2014. The GOP field includes state Sen. Dan Innis, as well. Rep. Chris Pappas is considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. He previously responded to news of Sununu considering a run by saying that New Hampshire voters “want a new generation of leadership. “Whether it’s corporate sellout John E. Sununu — who hasn’t held office in over two decades — or MAGA puppet Scott Brown, New Hampshire voters aren’t buying what the GOP is selling,” Pappas said. “While Republicans scramble to find Donald Trump’s perfect candidate, I will continue working to address the issues I hear most about from the people of my state — from bringing down rising costs to protecting their personal freedoms.” Republicans are eyeing the New Hampshire race as they look to grow their 53-47 majority in the 2026 midterms, although they have some riper targets with Democrats defending two states that Trump won last year: Michigan and Georgia. Trump lost New Hampshire by 3 points in 2024, and the Granite State has been known to host competitive Senate races in recent years.
