CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire Republican John E. Sununu introduced a marketing campaign for U.S. Senate on Wednesday, hoping to reclaim a seat he misplaced practically twenty years in the past and boosting the GOP’s possibilities of regaining a foothold in a area overwhelmingly represented by Democrats.
Sununu, 61, is searching for the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat who ousted him in 2008. His choice units up a main that includes two former senators: Republican Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts earlier than transferring to New Hampshire and shedding to Shaheen in 2014, has been operating since June.
“Maybe you’re surprised to hear that I’m running for the Senate again. I’m a bit surprised myself,” he mentioned in a video announcement. “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.”
Nationwide Republicans contemplate Sununu a robust candidate and one that enables them to go on the offensive as they appear to carry their majority within the chamber subsequent 12 months.
Senate Republicans, who maintain a 53-47 benefit, are defending seats in Ohio, Maine and North Carolina in opposition to a slate of high-profile Democratic candidates. However Republicans are additionally on the offensive in locations like Michigan, Georgia and now, more and more, New Hampshire — and in the event that they flip a type of seats it’s going to possible put the chamber out of attain for Democrats till a minimum of 2028.
Sununu should first win the first although, and his previous opposition to President Donald Trump may very well be problematic. Whereas Brown has aligned himself carefully with Trump and served as his U.S. ambassador to New Zealand, Sununu backed Nikki Haley within the 2024 Republican presidential main, writing an op-ed calling Trump a “loser.”
Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg through Getty Photographs
Trump went on to win New Hampshire’s leadoff main, however the state’s voters rejected him for a 3rd time within the basic election. And whereas Republicans management the Statehouse and governor’s workplace, Democrats have held all 4 of New Hampshire’s congressional seats since 2017.
Sununu served three phrases within the U.S. Home earlier than being elected to the Senate at age 38. He was the chamber’s youngest member all through his time period, a reality he emphasised in a 2008 marketing campaign advert that confirmed him sprinting up a steep mountain path.
“He’s younger, faster, quicker,” a deep-voiced (and considerably redundant) narrator intones. “Inexhaustible. Tireless. Energetic.”
He’s now the identical age Shaheen was when she defeated him and is 16 years older than U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination.
Although Sununu has lengthy been out of workplace, his title recognition stays excessive attributable to his household’s political prominence. His father, John H. Sununu, is a former governor and former White Home chief of workers. Considered one of his brothers, Chris Sununu, served 4 phrases as governor and flirted with a Senate marketing campaign of his personal in 2021. He additionally shot down a bid this cycle, saying he had spoken to the White Home however opted in opposition to it.
Cappelletti reported from Washington.
