Former Senator John E.
Sununu, a New Hampshire Republican, has been absent from the political scene for nearly two decades.
However, he is now considering a return to politics, confident that he can secure a victory in the 2026 race for the state's open Senate seat. "I'm sure that if we put together a strong team, this is a race that can be won. This is a race I know I can win. And more importantly, it's a role where I know I can make a difference for New Hampshire," Sununu stated in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital.
According to Fox News, Sununu is contemplating a Senate campaign to succeed the retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. He believes the race is winnable for a candidate who embodies New Hampshire's values rather than those of Washington.
Despite his previous criticism of President Donald Trump, labeling him a "loser" in a newspaper opinion piece last year, Sununu may secure the president's support if he decides to run. "President Trump appreciates winners and understands that John E. Sununu puts this race on the map for Republicans," a national Republican familiar with the Senate race in New Hampshire informed Fox News Digital.
Sununu, a former three-term representative, defeated then-Governor Shaheen in the 2002 Senate election in New Hampshire. However, he lost to Shaheen in their 2008 rematch.
With Shaheen's announcement earlier this year that she will not seek re-election in the upcoming midterms, Republicans are hopeful of flipping the seat to expand their Senate majority.
Sununu, who has spent nearly two decades in the private sector, appears ready to return to the campaign trail. "This is an incredibly important race. It's an incredibly important time for the country and I feel it might be the right time to step up," he told Fox News Digital.
He added that New Hampshire residents have encouraged him to run for Senate, recognizing the importance of having a representative in Washington who will stand up for the state.
However, it's not just New Hampshire voters who are encouraging Sununu to run. High-ranking national Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have reportedly held discussions with the former senator about a potential 2026 Senate campaign.
Former Senator Cory Gardner, chair of the Senate Leadership Fund, has also spoken with Sununu. Both Thune and Gardner are cautiously optimistic that Sununu will launch a campaign.
The Sununu name carries significant weight in New Hampshire politics. The former senator's father, John H. Sununu, served as governor and later as chief of staff in then-President George H.W. Bush's White House.
One of his younger brothers, Chris Sununu, served four two-year terms as governor of the Granite State.
However, the Republican Party has undergone significant changes since Sununu last ran for office 17 years ago. Under President Trump's leadership, the GOP has shifted from a business-oriented platform to a more populist party.
When asked if there's still room for a fiscal conservative in Trump's GOP, Sununu responded, "good decision-making, good leadership, never goes out of style. Standing up for your state, standing up for your neighbors and your friends, and the things that make New Hampshire strong never goes out of style. Being an effective voice never goes out of style."
Sununu's past criticisms of Trump could potentially harm him if he joins a Republican primary that already includes former Senator Scott Brown and state Senator Dan Innis, both of whom are vocal supporters of the president. Sununu, along with then-Governor Chris Sununu, endorsed former ambassador and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in the 2024 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, as she battled Trump for the nomination.
In response to whether he could win a Republican primary race that could turn into a Trump loyalty test, Sununu said, "the real question is, can you be effective? Can you work with other members of Congress? Can you work with this White House? Can you provide the kind of leadership it takes to get things done? And I know I can do that."
President Trump, whose endorsement in Republican primaries is highly influential, has remained neutral so far. However, he may be willing to overlook Sununu's past criticisms. Earlier this year, when Chris Sununu considered a Senate bid after leaving office, Trump encouraged him to run.
Despite Chris Sununu's repeated criticisms of Trump during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, Trump expressed his full support for him.
A national Republican strategist, who asked to remain anonymous, said that "aside from his famous last name, Sununu is a serious candidate with the ability to fundraise and appeal to New Hampshires unique politics. All other candidates announced or considering will have a very difficult time against Chris Pappas next November."
When asked about earning Trump's support, Sununu said, "I'd certainly love to have support from across the spectrum, that includes the president." However, he emphasized that the ultimate goal is to build support in New Hampshire and provide the right leadership and message for the state.
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