Republicans see bright spot in New Hampshire with Sununu

A political family dynasty, a strong Republican governor and an influx of GOP cash threatens to put Democrats on defense in New Hampshire as Republicans see a prime pickup opportunity in the marquee Senate contest.  

Republicans nabbed a recruitment win with former Sen. John E. Sununu (R) running against Rep. Chris Pappas (D) for retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s (D) seat, and Cook Political Report shifted the contest in the GOP’s favor last week.

Republicans are also investing heavily in the state, including the MAGA Inc.-aligned No Going Back PAC, which has already reserved over $10 million in the New Hampshire Senate race, according to The New York Times. The GOP says they feel optimistic New Hampshire’s electorate could buck political headwinds facing the party and elect Sununu, whose brother and father both served as governor in the state.

Yet, they concede the Granite State — which went for former Vice President Kamala Harris by 3 points in 2024 — is not impervious to President Trump’s poor approval ratings and national issues like the high cost of living.

“If we continue to see high costs and, you know, a war that is very unpopular, it’s going to be a tough environment for Republicans,” longtime Republican strategist Jim Merrill said.  

“I’d say given all of that, John Sununu is the very best person at this moment to maybe do something that no one expects,” he added.

A win in New Hampshire for Republicans would mark a serious win for the party as it looks to hold control of the Senate and cushion its majority in November.

On the trail, Pappas has leaned into his track record in Congress and his local roots, including working at his family-owned Puritan Backroom restaurant — which famously claims to have invented chicken tenders. The House Democrat, like Sununu, is looking to nationalize the race too.

“John Sununu’s record of supporting Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda that’s driving up costs and hurting Granite Staters stands in stark contrast to Chris........

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