A remarkable shift has occurred in the relationship between former President Donald Trump and Chris Sununu, the outgoing Republican governor of New Hampshire. After years of criticism and occasional sparring, Trump now explicitly supports Sununu’s potential bid for the U.S. Senate.
The seat is currently held by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, and Republicans see it as a prime opportunity to expand their majority in the chamber. Sununu has indicated he’s considering a run, stating last month that he would make a decision “in the next few weeks.” He also expressed confidence in gaining Trump’s support.
During a recent trip aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed the two men had met at the White House. “I told him — He came to my office, came to the Oval Office, and [I] met with Chris Sununu, and I support him fully. I hope he runs,” Trump stated. “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.”
The history between the two is complex:
- Sununu initially supported Trump during his 2016 campaign and again in 2020.
- However, Sununu publicly distanced himself from Trump’s claims of a “rigged” or “stolen” election.
- He also questioned whether Trump could win back the White House due to what he termed “political baggage.”
Despite these past disagreements, Sununu ultimately voted for Trump after he secured the 2024 GOP nomination and served as a prominent supporter of Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign.
Sununu recently acknowledged Trump’s influence within the party, stating, “Donald Trump is the head of the party, and he’s the voice of the Republican Party, and I got to say, I think he’s doing a pretty darn good job in the first couple months.”
Sununu’s potential candidacy represents a significant opportunity for Republicans. He left office with high approval ratings after serving four consecutive two-year terms as governor.
However, Sununu is not the only Republican vying for the Senate seat. Former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown—who previously lost to Shaheen in 2014—is also seriously considering a run and has been actively meeting with Republicans across New Hampshire and at the national level.
Brown acknowledged Trump’s influence, stating, “President Trump is the leader of the party, and he has earned the right to endorse whoever he supports. There is no path to a Republican nomination running against President Trump-backed candidates.”
On the Democratic side, Representative Chris Pappas recently launched his campaign, citing voter frustration with what he perceives as a system rigged in favor of wealthy donors.
“You think about the Social Security office that’s going to be closed in Littleton, drastic cuts to Medicaid, all in the name of giving big tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk,” Pappas argued. “I do get angry, because when you’re talking about public service, you should be focused on how you can help people, how you can make people’s lives better.”
Additionally, sources indicate that Representative Maggie Goodlander is also weighing a potential Senate run.
