John
E. Sununu
Former NH senator John E. Sununu is the 2026 Republican nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire.
- sources
- 27
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 14
Background
John E. Sununu is a Republican politician from New Hampshire who served as a U.S. representative from 1997 to 2003 and as a U.S. senator from 2003 to 2009. 2/) He grew up in Salem, New Hampshire, attended Salem High School, and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT as well as an MBA from Harvard. 2/)
Before entering Congress, Sununu worked in electronics manufacturing in Manchester, New Hampshire, and his background spans engineering, consulting, and manufacturing. 1 After leaving the Senate in 2009, he worked in high tech, taught at St. Anselm College, chaired the board of Waterville Valley Ski Resort, and served as a director at Boston Scientific. 1 He currently resides in Rye, New Hampshire. 1
Sununu won the New Hampshire Republican Senate primary on September 8, 2026, and is the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in the November 2026 general election, where he faces Democrat Chris Pappas. 111214 He is seeking an open seat and is not the incumbent senator. 2/)14
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, New Hampshire
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- sununusenator.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 13debateScheduled Sununu–Pappas debate to air on Valley Vision at 10 a.m.
A debate between Sununu and Pappas was scheduled for October 13, to be livestreamed by Valley Vision. It was announced on October 7 and had not yet taken place as of October 11.
Congressional debates to be aired on Valley Vision | Local ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11controversyPappas tells CBS he is taking nothing for granted in 'tough race' against Sununu
In a CBS News interview, Rep. Chris Pappas acknowledged a tough race and reiterated his campaign's characterization of Sununu as a supporter of Trump's agenda, including on Iran.
Transcript: Rep. Chris Pappas on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 11, 2026 · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11pollUNH Survey Center poll: Pappas again leads Sununu 50%–42% with 4% undecided
An updated UNH Survey Center poll showed the race unchanged from September, with Pappas at 50%, Sununu at 42%, and 4% undecided.
Chris Pappas Reverses Polling Trend in New Hampshire Senate Race · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10newsBoston Globe: Sununu's path back to Senate runs through a very different New Hampshire
The Boston Globe profiled Sununu's campaign, noting he opposes Trump's tariffs and has criticized the Iran policy while still carrying Trump's endorsement, as he seeks to win over a changed New Hampshire electorate.
John E. Sununu’s path back to the Senate runs through a very different New Hampshire - The Boston Globe · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsBloomberg: Sununu rarely invokes Trump, skipped party midterm convention
Bloomberg reported that Sununu's campaign strategy involved rarely mentioning Trump, skipping the Republican party's midterm convention, and saying he did not need prominent Republicans to campaign alongside him.
Republican Senate Hopeful in New Hampshire Campaigns ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7debateDebate between Sununu and Pappas announced for October 13 via Valley Vision livestream
The Mount Washington Valley Council announced a Sununu–Pappas debate scheduled for October 13 at 10 a.m., to be livestreamed by Valley Vision. The announcement was published October 7, with the debate upcoming as of October 11.
Congressional debates to be aired on Valley Vision | Local ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6pollAARP/NH Institute of Politics poll: Pappas leads Sununu 51%–44%
A poll conducted September 28–29 for AARP and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics showed Pappas leading 51% to 44% among likely voters, within a margin of error of about three percentage points.
Pappas leads Sununu by 7 points in New Hampshire Senate race: Poll · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5pollRasmussen poll: Pappas leads Sununu 49%–44%, gap narrowed from 11 points in early September
A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted October 2–4 showed Pappas leading 49% to 44% among likely voters, with Rasmussen noting the lead had narrowed significantly from an 11-point margin in its early-September survey.
Election 2026: New Hampshire Senate - Rasmussen Reports® · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsSununu rattles off disagreements with Trump at Nashua Rotary appearance
At a Nashua Rotary event, Sununu opposed tariffs on building materials, said 'we shouldn't be in a trade war with Canada,' and criticized the decision to enter Iran without a fixed plan for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. He also called for congressional pay to stop during government shutdowns and backed term limits.
Pressed on Trump in Nashua, John E. Sununu points to record ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1controversyPolitiFact examines Sununu claim that Pappas voted to raise taxes 68 times
PolitiFact reviewed Sununu's campaign claim that Chris Pappas voted to raise taxes 68 times, a charge that became a recurring point of dispute in the race.
John Sununu said Chris Pappas voted to raise taxes 68 ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsSununu outlines energy and housing positions in WMUR voter-question segment
In a WMUR appearance, Sununu called for domestic energy production and infrastructure investment, and on housing said he would eliminate tariffs on building materials and give New Hampshire more flexibility with federal housing programs.
Sununu answers voters' questions on energy policy, housing costs · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1controversyPappas campaign accuses Sununu of supporting Trump agenda on Iran, tariffs, and health care
The Pappas campaign released a statement accusing Sununu of backing Trump's agenda, including on what it characterized as Trump's war in Iran, tariffs, and health care. Sununu's campaign disputed these characterizations.
WATCH: Chris Pappas Discusses Stakes of the NH Senate Race ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24pollUNH Survey Center poll: Pappas leads Sununu 50%–42%
A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll showed Democrat Chris Pappas leading Sununu 50% to 42% in the Senate race.
"Pappas Opens Narrow Lead Over Sununu in New Hampshire ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15newsSenate Leadership Fund commits $17M; No Going Back PAC plans $10M in ads for Sununu
Republican outside groups announced major spending commitments in the New Hampshire race: the Senate Leadership Fund pledged roughly $17 million and the newly formed No Going Back PAC planned about $10 million in advertising. Americans for Prosperity Action also endorsed Sununu and had spent nearly $2 million ahead of the primary.
Trump Inc. backed Super PAC dumping $10 million into ... · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 14newsFundraising snapshot: Pappas raised $14.6M vs. Sununu's $4.1M through August 19
FEC records reviewed by the New Hampshire Bulletin showed Pappas with a large overall fundraising advantage ($14.6M to $4.1M), though their cash on hand was closer: $3.84M for Pappas and $3.02M for Sununu.
Sununu Vs. Pappas: Where The Candidates Stand In The Fundraising Battle · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 11newsSununu-Pappas Senate race reported to be shaping up as costly and bitter
Early general-election coverage described the New Hampshire Senate race as on track to be both expensive and contentious as both campaigns ramped up.
Sununu-Pappas Senate race shaping up to be costly, bitter · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 8filingSununu wins Republican primary with 68.4% of the vote
Sununu won the GOP Senate nomination over former Massachusetts senator Scott Brown, receiving 68.4% to Brown's 26.8%, setting up a November general election contest against Democrat Chris Pappas for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
New Hampshire Midterm Elections 2026 · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Feb 1endorsementTrump endorses Sununu in Republican Senate primary
President Donald Trump endorsed John E. Sununu during the primary campaign. The endorsement remained a talking point in the general election as Sununu simultaneously criticized some Trump policies on the trail.
John E. Sununu’s path back to the Senate runs through a very different New Hampshire - The Boston Globe · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Judd Gregg (former U.S. senator, governor, and congressman) officialListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- Craig Benson (former governor) officialListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- State Senate President Pro Tempore Daryl Abbas officialListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- Log Cabin Republicans PAC organizationListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- State Employees' Association, SEIU Local 1984 unionListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- State Senate President Sharon Carson officialListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- Executive Councilors Joe Kenney, John Stephen, Janet Stevens, and Dave Wheeler officialListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- Americans for Prosperity Action organizationListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- Turning Point Action organizationListed on Sununu's campaign endorsement page; no date provided. sununusenator.com
- Senate Leadership Fund organizationExecutive director publicly backed Sununu after his primary victory on September 9, 2026, describing plans to support his general-election campaign. senateleadershipfund.org · Sep 9, 2026
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune officialNBC News reported Thune's support by September 8, 2026; the Senate Leadership Fund noted Thune personally recruited Sununu. nbcnews.com · Sep 8, 2026
- President Donald Trump officialEndorsed Sununu on Truth Social on February 1, 2026. nbcnews.com · Feb 1, 2026
- National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) organizationNRSC chair Tim Scott and seven other Republican senators (Jim Banks, John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, Katie Boyd Britt, Shelley Moore Capito, Tom Cotton, James Lankford, Pete Ricketts) announced support; NRSC identifies Sununu as its endorsed candidate. nrsc.org · Oct 27, 2025
- New Hampshire State Sen. Daniel Innis officialEndorsed Sununu when he suspended his own Senate campaign on September 25, 2025, before Sununu had formally entered the race. vnews.com · Sep 25, 2025
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $4.18M
- Spent
- $1.11M
- Cash on hand
- $3.07M
As of Aug 19, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6NH00208(opens in a new tab)
Sources 27
- [1] Chris Pappas Reverses Polling Trend in New Hampshire Senate Race(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Transcript: Rep. Chris Pappas on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 11, 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] John E. Sununu’s path back to the Senate runs through a very different New Hampshire - The Boston Globe(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [4] Republican Senate Hopeful in New Hampshire Campaigns ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] ENDORSEMENTS(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [6] Congressional debates to be aired on Valley Vision | Local ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [7] John E. Sununu - smarter.vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [8] Pappas leads Sununu by 7 points in New Hampshire Senate race: Poll(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [9] Election 2026: New Hampshire Senate - Rasmussen Reports®(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [10] Pressed on Trump in Nashua, John E. Sununu points to record ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [11] Republican John E. Sununu speaks at WMUR town hall - WMUR(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [12] Sununu says it's time to reform legal pathways of immigration - WMUR(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [13] John Sununu said Chris Pappas voted to raise taxes 68 ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [14] Sununu answers voters' questions on energy policy, housing costs(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [15] WATCH: Chris Pappas Discusses Stakes of the NH Senate Race ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [16] New Hampshire Midterm Elections 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [17] "Pappas Opens Narrow Lead Over Sununu in New Hampshire ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [18] John E. Sununu: New Hampshire Senate 2026 — Record & Sources(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [19] Trump Inc. backed Super PAC dumping $10 million into ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [20] Sununu Vs. Pappas: Where The Candidates Stand In The Fundraising Battle(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [21] Sununu-Pappas Senate race shaping up to be costly, bitter(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [22] Statement on New Hampshire's U.S. Senate Race(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [23] New Hampshire primaries test Trump and the left(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
- [24] Primary conversations: Sununu says Congress should take back ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 28, 2026
- [25] Trump endorses John Sununu in New Hampshire Senate ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 1, 2026
- [26] Senate Republicans Rally Behind John Sununu to Flip New Hampshire Seat(opens in a new tab) Oct 27, 2025
- [27] Dan Innis drops out of N.H. 2026 Senate race - Valley News(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2025