ANALYSIS – Former Sen. John E. Sununu announced a comeback bid in New Hampshire on Wednesday, boosting Republican chances of winning the seat near the core of the fight for Senate control in 2026.
Republicans remain favored to maintain their majority at this stage of the cycle because Democrats need a net gain of four seats, including at least two GOP-held seats in Republican-leaning states, to flip the chamber. The seat Sununu is seeking is currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. So a loss in New Hampshire would force Democrats to offset that with a win in an additional Republican state.
Unlike some Senate candidates, Sununu won’t struggle with name identification. He’s the son of former governor and former White House chief of staff John H. Sununu and the older brother of former Gov. Chris Sununu, who didn’t seek reelection in 2024. He also held this Senate seat himself for one term and represented half of the state in the House for six years. And Sununu enters this race with support from Senate Republican leadership.
