By John Thune will be heartbroken. Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced on Tuesday that he will not seek election to the U.S. Senate in 2026, ending months of speculation that he might pursue the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
In an interview on a popular radio show in the Granite State, Sununu explained that while he had seriously considered a campaign, the decision ultimately came down to personal priorities, reported Politico.
“I really thought about it,” he said to The Pulse of NH’s Jack Heath. “I actually talked to the White House this morning. I talked to Tim Scott. Thanked him for all their support and confidence and all that, but I don’t have to be the candidate, and I’m not going to be the candidate.”
Sununu’s remarks follow Trump backing the Republican’s potential run over the weekend.
“He came to my office, came to the Oval Office, and met with Chris Sununu, and I support him fully. I hope he runs,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. “He’s been very nice to me over the last year or so, but no, I hope he runs. I think he’ll win that seat.”
Trump’s support came as a surprise given how he and Sununu have clashed over the years. Sununu has previously criticized Trump’s rhetoric, backing Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican primary. However, he quickly threw his support behind Trump after he became the presumptive nominee.
Sununu, a prominent Republican with national recognition, was widely viewed as a strong contender in what is expected to be a tightly contested and high-profile race. His withdrawal from consideration comes shortly after Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas officially launched his Senate campaign, marking an early strategic push by Democrats to retain control of the seat.
Despite stepping aside, Sununu expressed confidence that Republicans still have a viable path to victory. “It doesn’t have to be me,” he stated, according to The Daily Caller. “I think 2028 presents a real opportunity for New Hampshire to assert its bipartisan values and elect a representative who reflects that spirit in Washington.”
With Sununu officially out of the race, focus now shifts to other potential Republican candidates. Among the names circulating is former Senator Scott Brown, who also served as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand. On the Democratic side, possible alternatives to Pappas include freshman Rep. Maggie Goodlander and former Rep. Annie Kuster, depending on how the primary landscape evolves.
Sununu’s announcement contributes to a broader reshaping of the national political terrain ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrats are already grappling with the surprise retirements of Senators Gary Peters from Michigan and Tina Smith from Minnesota, increasing the stakes for Senate control over the next six years.
Most of the “battleground” elections in the Senate are expected to be ones currently held by Democrats.
Republicans recently have gained momentum by winning recent congressional victories in Florida, intensifying their push toward holding on to their power in Washington.
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