Trump Backs Sununu in New Hampshire Senate Race, Sparking GOP Tensions
On Sunday, former President Donald Trump threw his support behind ex-Senator John E. Sununu in New Hampshire’s highly contested Senate race, favoring a long-time critic over former ambassador Scott Brown. This endorsement is seen as a strategic move, as Republicans consider Sununu their best shot at flipping a traditionally blue Senate seat.
Trump praised Sununu as an “America First Patriot” in a post on Truth Social, asserting that Sununu would “work tirelessly to advance our America First Agenda.” In a typical Trumpian flourish, he declared, “John E. Sununu has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN — ELECT JOHN E. SUNUNU.”
Sununu, who has at times been critical of Trump, expressed gratitude for the endorsement while quickly shifting focus to his campaign priorities. “I want to thank the President for his support and thank the thousands of Granite Staters who are supporting me,” he said. “This campaign has and always will be about standing up for New Hampshire — every single day.”
The dynamics of the GOP primary have shifted dramatically with Trump’s endorsement, intensifying the competition between Sununu and Brown. Brown, who previously represented Massachusetts in the Senate and served as Trump’s ambassador to New Zealand, has positioned himself as a candidate more aligned with the MAGA base. He vowed to continue his campaign, suggesting that Sununu lacked genuine commitment to Trump’s agenda. “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,” Brown stated in a post on X.
Both candidates are vying for the opportunity to challenge Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who is set to take on the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Pappas responded to Trump’s endorsement with a straightforward remark: “I’m Chris Pappas, and I approve this message,” which he shared on X. His campaign manager, Rachel Petri, criticized Sununu, claiming that Trump’s endorsement “confirms” Sununu’s willingness to put his political ambitions above the interests of Granite Staters.
Interestingly, Trump’s support for Sununu seemed improbable not long ago. As a member of a moderate New Hampshire Republican dynasty, Sununu had been a national co-chair for former Ohio Governor John Kasich’s 2016 presidential campaign and had supported former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the current GOP primary against Trump. In an earlier op-ed, Sununu even labeled Trump a “loser,” echoing sentiments that many would consider politically risky. Yet, in the ever-shifting landscape of GOP politics, endorsements can sometimes defy logic.
Republicans were initially optimistic about their chances to flip the open Senate seat in New Hampshire, which has seen party control change multiple times in recent years. Sununu’s early momentum, bolstered by endorsements from the GOP’s Senate campaign arm and support from key Republican leaders, positioned him as the preferred candidate against Pappas. Trump acknowledged this backing in his Truth Social post.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, there is dissent among some of his staunch supporters in New Hampshire. A faction of MAGA activists expressed their disapproval, labeling the endorsement a “slap in the face to grassroots supporters.” They contended that the Sununu family has previously undermined the America First movement, stating, “We will continue and intensify our campaign opposition to the Sununu operation,” as expressed in a post on X.
Polls indicate that Sununu enjoys a significant lead over Brown in the GOP primary, with a recent University of New Hampshire survey showing Sununu at 48 percent compared to Brown’s 25 percent, while 26 percent remain undecided. However, in hypothetical matchups against Pappas, Sununu trails by five percentage points, and Brown is behind by ten in the same poll. Pappas also outpaces both Republicans in fundraising, amassing $2.3 million last quarter, compared to Sununu’s $1.3 million and Brown’s $347,000.
