President Donald Trump is using his political clout to push former Sen. John Sununu over the finish line in Tuesday’s New Hampshire GOP Senate primary — hoping to notch another win in his 97% endorsement success streak.
The race pits Sununu against Scott Brown, Trump’s former ambassador to New Zealand and a onetime Massachusetts senator. Both men bring national name recognition, but Trump picked Sununu in February and hasn’t looked back.
Trump’s involvement in the New Hampshire race underscores the ongoing influence he wields over Republican primary contests nationwide, even as the party looks ahead to what could be a competitive general election cycle. His endorsement pattern has become a critical factor in GOP nomination fights, with candidates actively seeking his backing to gain momentum with the party’s base voters.
“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 Truth Social in February.
“JOHN E. SUNUNU HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN — ELECT JOHN E. SUNUNU!”
The decision highlights Trump’s strategic calculations in the 2026 midterms. He’s consistently leveraged his political weight to unify the party behind preferred candidates — most recently in Darline Graham’s South Carolina GOP Senate primary win last week.
Trump’s endorsement strategy has evolved to balance loyalty with electability concerns, particularly in swing states where Republicans need to appeal beyond the party’s core base to win statewide races. His backing of establishment-connected candidates like Sununu, who comes from one of New Hampshire’s most prominent political families, signals a pragmatic approach to securing Senate seats in competitive territory.
Brown has framed his campaign as an independent, grassroots quest, despite his previous ties to Trump. But Trump’s choice appears to reflect a focus on general election viability in a state Republicans have historically struggled to hold at the federal level.
New Hampshire has presented unique challenges for the Republican Party in recent cycles, with the state’s independent-minded electorate often rejecting candidates perceived as too extreme or out of step with local priorities. The state’s libertarian streak and moderate suburban voters have proven decisive in recent statewide contests, making candidate selection particularly consequential for the GOP’s chances in November.
Sununu holds 40-point lead in primary polling
A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll last week showed Sununu crushing Brown among likely Republican primary voters — 60% to 20%, a commanding 40-point margin.
The substantial polling advantage suggests that Trump’s endorsement has consolidated Republican support behind Sununu, effectively clearing the primary field despite Brown’s own credentials and previous service in the Trump administration. The lopsided numbers indicate that primary voters are responding to the combination of Trump’s backing and Sununu’s local connections.
“John Sununu is the only candidate in this race who will beat Chris Pappas and flip New Hampshire red,” National Republican Senatorial Committee regional press secretary Samantha Cantrell told Just The News.
The winner will face Democrat Chris Pappas in November as Republicans aim to flip the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. The GOP has held five New Hampshire Senate seats since 1990, compared to two for Democrats.
This historical context reveals the uphill battle Republicans face in New Hampshire’s federal races, despite the state’s reputation as a purple battleground. The disparity in Senate seat control over more than three decades reflects Democratic advantages in recent election cycles, making the party’s strategy of nominating electable candidates all the more critical for flipping this seat.
Sununu holds distinct local heritage and institutional backing in New Hampshire. His brother, Chris Sununu, is the state’s former governor — a factor Trump likely weighed when making the endorsement.
The Sununu family name carries significant weight in New Hampshire politics, representing a multi-generational political dynasty that could provide crucial credibility with independent voters who will determine the general election outcome. This kind of local brand recognition often proves valuable in a state where retail politics and personal connections still matter considerably.
However, the UNH poll showed Sununu locked in a statistical tie with Pappas in a hypothetical general election matchup — 45% for Sununu to 43% for Pappas. The margin of error makes the race a toss-up heading into fall.
The tight general election polling explains why Republicans have been particularly focused on nominee quality in this race, understanding that winning the primary by a landslide means little if the candidate cannot compete effectively in November’s broader electorate.
The endorsement follows tension during Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, when Chris Sununu referred to Trump as a “loser,” largely for his underwhelming results in securing GOP majorities in Congress. Trump overlooked the family slight and backed John Sununu anyway.
Trump’s willingness to set aside personal grievances in favor of political strategy represents a notable calculation, suggesting he views maintaining Senate control as more important than settling scores with critics. This pragmatism could signal a broader shift in how Trump approaches endorsements when electoral stakes are high.
“I launched this campaign with a focus on jobs, the economy, and affordability; vowing to always put New Hampshire first,” Sununu said after the endorsement. “I want to thank the President for his support and thank the thousands of Granite Staters who are supporting me.”
Trump has also endorsed Portsmouth businessman Anthony DiLorenzo in the crowded open-seat GOP primary in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District.
