A Senator Before Trump Wants His New Hampshire Seat Back

A Senator Before Trump Wants His New Hampshire Seat Back

An 18-year absence meets an open seat

Republican nominee John E. Sununu, 62, held New Hampshire's Senate seat from 2003 to 2009 after serving in the House from 1997 to 2003. He is running to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, in office since 2009, who is not seeking re-election. His Democratic opponent is Rep. Chris Pappas, who has represented New Hampshire in the House since 2019, with Constitution Party candidate Edmond Laplante also on the ballot. The general election is Nov. 3.

Two campaigns, two closing arguments

Sununu has run a localized campaign built on New Hampshire issues, his family's tradition of independent leadership, and his small-business background. Pappas has campaigned on affordability and holding the seat for Democrats, casting the race as central to control of the Senate. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg campaigned with Pappas in Manchester and Rochester. In a candidate interview, Sununu said lifting sanctions on Russian diesel was a bad idea and urged more U.S. intelligence and military assistance for Ukraine.

A famous name, without his brother beside him

The Sununu name is an institution in New Hampshire. John's father, John H. Sununu, was governor in the 1980s; his younger brother, Chris Sununu, served four terms as governor from 2017 to 2025; his mother, Nancy Sununu, once chaired the state party. But Chris Sununu, now president and CEO of Airlines for America, says he is not involved at all in his brother's campaign, while voicing support. John Sununu, asked in Laconia why they do not appear together, said there was really no need to campaign with anyone else.

Down 7 points in a race both parties need

Pappas has led polling since the spring. A Saint Anselm College survey of 1,672 likely voters on Oct. 19 and 20 put Pappas ahead 50% to 43%, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4%. A GOP-sponsored National Public Affairs poll on Oct. 12 showed the same 50%-to-43% margin. A polling average of 27 surveys had Pappas at 48.0% and Sununu at 42.4%, a 5.6-point gap. One election forecaster has moved the race from toss-up toward Democrats, and one national network rates it as leaning Democratic. Republicans control the Senate 53-47, so Democrats must hold this seat to have any path back. If Pappas wins, he would become the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.

A Nov. 3 verdict, and history on the line

If Sununu wins, he would return to Washington after 18 years away, the longest gap in modern history for a returning senator. Analysts say Sununu has run a disciplined local race but faces a national headwind, with some voters using the contest to register displeasure with Donald Trump. His business record has drawn scrutiny, including his pre-Congress role running operations at Teletrol Systems, a building-automation company with roughly 30 employees. A fact-check found Pappas's claim that Sununu cashed in with Big Pharma to be exaggerated, noting Sununu's 2025 and 2026 financial disclosures. To close the gap, Sununu must run ahead of the Republican baseline before Election Day.