Former New Hampshire Senator John E. Sununu is expected to announce his Senate campaign this week, signaling a potential political resurgence. Sununu, who previously represented the state in the Senate for a single term before losing to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in 2008, has been evaluating a candidacy since September. His campaign is anticipated to gain momentum with a potential endorsement from President Donald Trump, a move that highlights the strategic importance of the race for the Republican Party.
Despite his longstanding opposition to Trump, the Sununu family’s political legacy and connections may bolster his candidacy in a race seen as critical for flipping the Senate seat. Sununu has been in contact with the White House and is expected to visit with President Trump soon, according to a senior White House official. Trump’s endorsement could be pivotal in the GOP primary, even though the state’s electorate rejected him in all three of his presidential campaigns.
While Sununu has previously opposed Trump, he served as a national co-chair of former Ohio Governor John Kasich’s 2016 presidential campaign and supported former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley in 2024. He had also criticized Trump in a recent op-ed, calling him a “loser” ahead of the state’s GOP presidential primary. However, Trump still managed to win that primary by 11 points, indicating the complex dynamics within the Republican Party.
Other candidates in the race include former Senator Scott Brown, who represents Massachusetts but now runs in New Hampshire, and state Senator Dan Innis, who recently ended his campaign and endorsed Sununu. Brown is positioning himself as the more Trump-aligned candidate, which could pose a challenge to Sununu’s prospects. National Republicans view Sununu as a strong contender due to his political connections and background, and he has engaged with key figures like Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former Senator Cory Gardner. The race is seen as a significant opportunity for the GOP to secure a Senate seat, adding to the significance of Sununu’s potential bid.