Sununu launches Republican bid for NH Senate in 2026

Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu announced Wednesday that he will seek to reclaim the New Hampshire Senate seat in 2026, launching a Republican bid for the open seat being vacated by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu, who represented the state in the Senate from 2003 to 2009, said his campaign will focus on lowering political temperature in Washington and addressing costs for health care, energy and housing while protecting Social Security and Medicare.

In a campaign launch video and subsequent interview, Sununu framed his return as an effort to restore pragmatic governance. "Somebody has to step up and lower the temperature," he said, adding that when he served lawmakers with different views were able to work together to reach solutions. He pledged not to vote to cut Social Security benefits and to prioritize measures aimed at reducing health care and other household costs.

Sununu enters a Republican primary that already includes former U.S. Senator Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts from 2010 to 2013 and has emphasized his alignment with former President Donald Trump. State Senator Dan Innis, who had been running for the seat, suspended his campaign and endorsed Sununu....