In a surprising, but strategically savvy twist, former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has received the full blessing of President Trump to run for U.S. Senate—marking a major political thaw between two Republicans who once publicly butted heads. With Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announcing she won’t seek reelection in 2026, Trump is playing the long game to keep the Senate red—and he knows winning in purple states like New Hampshire is going to take more than just ideological loyalty. It’ll take winners.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed what many insiders had suspected: he not only met with Sununu in the Oval Office but encouraged him to run. “I support him fully,” Trump said. “I hope he runs. He’s been very nice to me over the last year or so. I think he’ll win the seat.”
🚨Just in: President Trump encourages @ChrisSununu to run in the 2026 New Hampshire Senate Race:
“He came to the Oval Office and I met with Chris Sununu and I support him fully. I hope he runs. He's been very nice to me over the last year." pic.twitter.com/MCULIUhHFE
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) April 7, 2025
That’s a far cry from the rocky relationship they once had. Sununu was one of the more outspoken critics of Trump during his first term, famously brushing off the idea of a presidential endorsement in past cycles. But with Trump back in the White House and the Republican Party unifying around a clear America First agenda, it looks like bygones are officially bygones—at least when a Senate seat is on the line.
And make no mistake—this race is a big one. New Hampshire is the last New England state where Republicans still win consistently at the state level. Voters re-elected Kelly Ayotte as governor in 2022 and handed the GOP a supermajority in the state Senate last year. But federal races have been tougher. Trump lost the state by about 3 points in 2024, and the last Republican to win a Senate seat here was Ayotte in 2010.
With Shaheen out, the path is wide open. And Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune aren’t about to let a winnable race slip away. Thune met with Sununu last month, no doubt to sweet-talk him into the run. Sununu, with his name recognition, popularity, and moderate tone, could be exactly the kind of candidate to bridge the MAGA base and independents.
Also sniffing around the race? Scott Brown, the carpetbagging former Massachusetts senator who moved to New Hampshire after his 2012 loss. He’s been spotted making the rounds in D.C., clearly testing the waters.
But with Trump’s endorsement, Sununu just became the frontrunner—assuming he runs. And if he does, the Granite State could be the GOP’s next big pickup in 2026.