Ex-New Hampshire Governor Sununu Declines 2026 Senate Bid
President Donald Trump expressed his desire for the former New Hampshire governor to announce a run on Sunday.
TroibNews 
Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced that he will not pursue a run for the U.S. Senate, even after receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Sununu, who completed four terms as the state's governor and opted against seeking a fifth, made this revelation on Monday during an appearance on The Pulse of NH's "Good Morning NH" radio program. He had been considered a leading candidate for the upcoming 2026 Senate race following Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen's decision not to seek reelection.
“I really thought about it,” he shared with 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.”
This announcement comes shortly after Trump expressed his support for a potential run by Sununu 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 said to 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 endorsement was unexpected, given their previous disagreements. Sununu has openly criticized Trump’s rhetoric in the past and endorsed Nikki Haley during the 2024 Republican primary, but he quickly pledged his support to Trump once he became the presumptive nominee.
Scott Brown, a former Massachusetts GOP senator and U.S. ambassador considering a potential Senate run, commended Sununu on Tuesday. Brown was the Republican nominee for the New Hampshire Senate seat back in 2014.
“@ChrisSununu and the entire Sununu family are patriots who have made our state a better place - looking forward to seeing what’s next for him and working alongside him for New Hampshire’s future,” Brown stated in an X post on Tuesday, in response to Sununu’s announcement.
Democratic Representative Chris Pappas officially launched his campaign for Shaheen’s Senate seat last week, aiming to keep the seat in Democratic hands.
With his Senate aspirations off the table, Sununu indicated that he plans to continue focusing on his endeavors in the private sector for the time being.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
Sununu, who completed four terms as the state's governor and opted against seeking a fifth, made this revelation on Monday during an appearance on The Pulse of NH's "Good Morning NH" radio program. He had been considered a leading candidate for the upcoming 2026 Senate race following Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen's decision not to seek reelection.
“I really thought about it,” he shared with 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.”
This announcement comes shortly after Trump expressed his support for a potential run by Sununu 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 said to 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 endorsement was unexpected, given their previous disagreements. Sununu has openly criticized Trump’s rhetoric in the past and endorsed Nikki Haley during the 2024 Republican primary, but he quickly pledged his support to Trump once he became the presumptive nominee.
Scott Brown, a former Massachusetts GOP senator and U.S. ambassador considering a potential Senate run, commended Sununu on Tuesday. Brown was the Republican nominee for the New Hampshire Senate seat back in 2014.
“@ChrisSununu and the entire Sununu family are patriots who have made our state a better place - looking forward to seeing what’s next for him and working alongside him for New Hampshire’s future,” Brown stated in an X post on Tuesday, in response to Sununu’s announcement.
Democratic Representative Chris Pappas officially launched his campaign for Shaheen’s Senate seat last week, aiming to keep the seat in Democratic hands.
With his Senate aspirations off the table, Sununu indicated that he plans to continue focusing on his endeavors in the private sector for the time being.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
