1 Feb, 2026 23:03
Trump Endorses Sununu in Senate GOP Primary
During the 2024 campaign, former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu wrote an editorial calling President Donald Trump a loser.
Today, that “loser” is endorsing Sununu in the 2026 GOP U.S. Senate primary. And he’s picking him over his own former ambassador to New Zealand, former U.S. Senator Scott Brown.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, John E. Sununu, who is running to represent the beautiful State of New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate,” Trump posted on social media Sunday.
“John E. Sununu has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN — ELECT JOHN E. SUNUNU!”
Sununu is running to fill the vacancy created when U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced she’s not running again in 2026. Shaheen defeated Sununu to take the seat back in 2008.
Shaheen narrowly avoided losing the 2014 race to Brown, but it’s Sununu who’s gotten the backing of most of the GOP establishment in this primary, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“John Sununu’s deep roots and passion for the Granite State make him built to win,” NRSC chair Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said in October.
A NHJournal/Praecones Analytica poll taken the last week of December showed Sununu is the stronger candidate to take on U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, the Democrats’ likely nominee.
Pappas held just a 42-36 percent lead over Sununu in a head-to-head matchup, while he had a 46-28 advantage over Brown. In both cases, Pappas was under 50 percent, and about a quarter of voters say they’re undecided.
Sununu released a statement thanking Trump for the endorsement.
“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,” Sununu 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.”
The endorsement is a blow to Brown’s campaign, and some Republicans say it’s time for him to step aside for Sununu.“There is no longer any justification for Scott Brown’s campaign. He claimed he was the Trump candidate,” veteran GOP strategist Michael Dennehy told NHJournal.“It’s time to stop the charade and rally behind the candidate who can win.”
Craig Stevens, a Bedford Republican who worked on the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush and Mitt Romneysaid 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 candidateto represent the interests of New Hampshire.
“The fate of the Senate’s majority will come down to the Granite State so it’s critical that the party take the President’s lead and get behind Sununu– the most qualified, most electable person – as quickly as possible.”
Another influential GOP insider told NHJournal:“This primary is officially over.”Brown responded to the news via social media, making it clear he has no intention of dropping out of the race.
“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,” Brown posted.“I am running to ensure our America First agenda is led by someone who views this mission not as a career path, but as a continuation of a lifelong commitment to service. My priorities for New Hampshire remain clear: a stronger economy, a secure border, reliable and affordable energy, and better health care for our veterans.
“This mission has always been about you, not me. Let’s keep working!”
https://nhjournal.com/breaking-trump-endorses-sununu-in-senate-gop-primary/