By President Donald Trump has upended New Hampshire’s already competitive 2026 Republican Senate primary by endorsing former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, backing a onetime critic over former Sen. Scott Brown in a race national Republicans see as a prime pickup opportunity.
Trump announced the endorsement on social media Sunday, calling Sununu an “America First Patriot” and offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” He said Sununu “will work tirelessly to advance our America First Agenda,” citing priorities that include growing the economy, cutting taxes and regulations, advancing “MADE IN THE U.S.A.,” unleashing American energy dominance, expanding access to affordable and high-quality health care, championing school choice, securing the border, stopping migrant crime, supporting the military, veterans, and law enforcement, ensuring law and order, and defending the Second Amendment.
The move marks a notable reversal in a state long accustomed to Republican intraparty friction, writes NH Journal. During the 2024 campaign, Sununu authored an editorial labeling Trump a “loser” and backed Nikki Haley in the GOP primary. Despite that history, Trump’s endorsement reflects a pragmatic calculation in a contest Republicans believe they can win as they seek to expand their Senate majority in the 2026 midterms.
News: Trump endorses John E. Sununu in the NH Senate race pic.twitter.com/JN3FfSWolC
— Reese Gorman (@reesejgorman) February 1, 2026
The seat opened after Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced in March 2025 that she would not seek reelection. Shaheen defeated Sununu for the seat in 2008. Sununu, who served in the Senate from 2003 to 2009, has since emerged as the GOP establishment favorite, drawing backing from party leaders and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
In October, NRSC Chair Tim Scott praised Sununu, saying, “John Sununu’s deep roots and passion for the Granite State make him built to win.” Recent polling has reinforced that view. A late-December NHJournal/Praecones Analytica survey showed Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas leading Sununu 42–36 percent in a hypothetical general election matchup, with roughly a quarter of voters undecided. Pappas held a wider 46–28 percent edge over Brown in the same poll.
Sununu welcomed Trump’s backing, reiterating his campaign’s economic focus. “I launched this campaign with a focus on jobs, the economy, and affordability; vowing to always put New Hampshire first. That focus and promise is resonating across the state, and we are running neck and neck with Chris Pappas,” he said. “I want to thank the President for his support and thank the thousands of Granite Staters who are supporting me. This campaign has and always will be about standing up for New Hampshire — every single day.”
For Brown, who has styled himself as the race’s true “America First” candidate, the endorsement was a sharp blow. Some Republicans openly urged him to step aside. Veteran strategist Michael Dennehy said, “There is no longer any justification for Scott Brown’s campaign. He claimed he was the Trump candidate. It’s time to stop the charade and rally behind the candidate who can win.”
After winning a surprise victory in Massachusetts in 2010 to stop Obamacare as the 41st vote, Brown has since lost multiple races to return to the Senate.
Brown has said he has no interest in dropping out:
I’ve always believed that the people of New Hampshire are the ultimate authority on our future, and they deserve a choice between candidates seeking to earn their support.
I am running to ensure our America First agenda is led by someone who views this mission not as a career…
— Scott P. Brown (@SenScottBrown) February 1, 2026
Bedford Republican Craig Stevens said Trump’s “early, and unequivocal endorsement demonstrates that he knows this is a winnable seat and he recognizes that John E. Sununu is the best candidate to represent the interests of New Hampshire,” urging party unity with the Senate majority potentially at stake. Another GOP insider was more blunt: “This primary is officially over.”
Republican advisor Matthew Barlett said the endorsement underscores Trump’s willingness to prioritize electability over past grievances, noting Trump had previously endorsed Chris Sununu, John Sununu’s brother and a frequent Trump critic who was not even running.
National Republicans have elevated New Hampshire alongside other battlegrounds as they map the 2026 cycle. Republican National Committee spokesperson Kristen Cianci called the seat “one to watch this cycle,” saying Trump’s endorsement highlights its growing importance.
The Republican primary is scheduled for September 2026, with the November general election set to determine whether New Hampshire elects a Republican senator for the first time since 2010.
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