Chris Sununu Weighs Senate Run in New Hampshire Amidst GOP Opportunity
NEWFIELDS, N.H. – Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is engaged in discussions with Republican leaders about a potential Senate run in 2026. The seat is now open due to the retirement of Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu, a prominent figure on cable news networks and Sunday talk shows, stated in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital that he intends to make a decision in the coming weeks.
Sununu, known for his past criticism of President Donald Trump, expressed confidence that he would have the president’s support should he decide to pursue a Senate bid. Shaheen, the first woman in U.S. history to be elected as both governor and senator, announced her retirement, creating a prime pickup opportunity for the Republican Party.
Even before Shaheen’s announcement, her seat in the swing state of New Hampshire was already considered a top target for the GOP in the 2026 midterms. Michigan, where Senator Gary Peters is also retiring, and Georgia, where Republicans see first-term Senator Jon Ossoff as vulnerable, are other states the party is hoping to gain seats in to expand their current 53-47 majority.
Sununu’s recent comments mark a shift from his stance last year, when he repeatedly stated he would not seek a Senate run in 2026. In a November interview with Fox News Digital, he reiterated his position from a July interview, definitively ruling out a Senate campaign. He reaffirmed his position in early January, stating he had no plans to run for anything in the near future, citing family considerations.
However, Sununu now reveals that he has been urged by individuals in New Hampshire and Washington to reconsider. He acknowledges that the "door is open," though not widely. Among those he is consulting with is Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Sununu describes his talks with Scott as "an ongoing discussion," indicating the seriousness of his deliberations. Sources report that Sununu is scheduled to have dinner with Scott and other Senate Republicans in Washington D.C.
This isn’t the first time Sununu has considered a Senate run. Four years ago, he expressed interest in challenging his predecessor as governor, Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan, who was up for re-election in 2022. National Republicans heavily courted Sununu to take on Hassan. However, he ultimately decided to run for a fourth term as governor, disappointing many Republicans in Washington.
At the time, Sununu criticized the Senate, contrasting it with the governor’s role. He lamented the slow pace and lack of action in the Senate, saying he couldn’t imagine "sitting around a couple of years to get anything done." When asked if he had changed his mind, Sununu said, "Not really, no….I think Washington has been really stagnated. Hasn’t done a whole lot, doesn’t deliver."
Despite his reservations, Sununu now points to a "fundamental change in the past two months," particularly with Trump back in the White House. He believes Congress is now addressing issues he cares deeply about, such as a balanced budget and government efficiency.
Sununu credits Trump and others for driving the conversation around the national debt, which he considers a critical issue. He warns of a potential "car crash" due to Social Security and Medicare going bankrupt, and rising debt. He expresses hope that he can play a leadership role in addressing these vital issues, something he has been successful with in New Hampshire.
Following Trump’s first term and the January 6th Capitol attack, Sununu emerged as a vocal GOP critic of the former president. He supported Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. However, he ultimately backed the Republican nominee in the general election. Sununu claims to have "a very good relationship at this point" with Trump.
Sununu is not the only Republican considering a Senate bid in New Hampshire. Former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, who narrowly lost to Shaheen in the 2014 New Hampshire election, is also seriously considering a run. Brown, who served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand during Trump’s first term, has been meeting with Republicans across New Hampshire and GOP officials in Washington. He recently met with top Trump administration political officials at the White House.
Brown argues that Granite State Democrats are "completely out of touch" and believes he can do better. Sununu recognizes the opportunity presented by Shaheen’s retirement, stating that it is an "open seat" and "up for play." He notes that Republicans have had success in some statewide races in New Hampshire recently.
Sununu believes there is an opportunity for himself, Scott Brown, or another Republican candidate to win the seat. He has been communicating with individuals in Washington, aiming to help them understand New Hampshire, how to win there, and how to find and cultivate the right candidates. The coming weeks will be critical as Sununu weighs his options and makes a decision about a potential Senate run, one that could significantly impact the political landscape of New Hampshire and the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
