‘I’m New Hampshire’: John Sununu pitches experience, independence in bid to return to Senate

As part of The Dartmouth’s coverage of the upcoming 2026 midterm and gubernatorial elections, the paper is publishing an interview series, “A Sit-Down with The Dartmouth” featuring in-depth conversations with candidates for state-wide and New Hampshire district positions.

In this installment, The Dartmouth interviewed John E. Sununu, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. Sununu previously represented New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House from 1997 to 2003 and served one term in the Senate from 2003 to 2009. He is now seeking a return to elected office nearly two decades after losing reelection to Shaheen in 2008.

The race is expected to be among the country’s most competitive Senate contests. Sununu currently faces former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown in the Republican primary and would likely face U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas in the general election if nominated.

During the interview, Sununu emphasized the need for affordability, energy policy and an “effective voice” for New Hampshire in Washington.

You left the Senate nearly two decades ago and are now seeking to return in one of the more competitive races in the country. Why is this the right moment to come back, and why do you believe New Hampshire voters should send you back now?

JS: Politics isn’t just about holding an office. It’s about being an effective voice for the people you represent. Right now, New Hampshire needs someone who understands the state and who is focused on the right things: the economy, jobs, affordability, housing, energy and healthcare. 

Congress is dysfunctional. I think anybody looking at Washington right now sees a system that is not focused on the right priorities. New Hampshire, maybe more than most states because we’re small, needs an effective voice in Washington. I’ve shown before that I can be that voice.

President Trump endorsed you despite years of mutual criticism, including your past support for his rivals and your 2024 Union Leader op-ed calling him “a loser.” What changed?

JS: He recognized what people in New Hampshire recognized when they first endorsed me at the beginning of this campaign: Our former Republican governors, state Sen. Sharon Carson and Republican executive councilors endorsed me because they know New Hampshire needs an effective voice in Washington — someone who can rise above the dysfunction and focus on the issues that matter to this state.

What does your relationship with the president look like right now?

JS: More importantly, my relationship is with the administration. We don’t currently have anyone in our delegation who can effectively advocate for New Hampshire with this administration because there has been so much time spent simply butting heads.

Scott Brown has argued that he is the more “America First” candidate and suggested that your support reflects institutional Republican politics more than grassroots support. How do you respond?

JS: I’m New Hampshire. I said in my campaign announcement that I’ll have one job: standing up for New Hampshire every single day. I’m not focused on another office or currying favor with anyone outside this state.

Polls to date show you leading Brown by a significant margin in the September primary. As you prepare for a likely general election matchup against Chris Pappas, what do you see as the central contrast between the two of you?

JS: Chris Pappas has consistently taken positions that I think are out of sync with where many people in New Hampshire are. He voted for energy taxes as families struggled with heating costs. He opposes voter ID [such as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act]. He supports allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports. 

The other distinction is effectiveness. When I was in Congress, I wrote and passed legislation protecting the White Mountain National Forest, supporting families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and banning internet taxes. I got things done under both Republican and Democratic leadership because those issues mattered to New Hampshire.

What is the single most important thing the federal government could do right now that could materially improve life for New Hampshire families?

JS: There’s no single answer because these issues are all different, even though they were all impacted by inflation. 

On health care, affordability comes from competition, expanding health savings accounts and increasing price transparency. On housing, we should waive tariffs on building materials, reduce regulations affecting workforce housing and pursue permitting reform. On energy, we need more production, more transmission infrastructure and more pipeline capacity.

Iran and the broader Middle East have moved back to the center of national politics. How should the U.S. balance deterrence, alliances and avoiding a broader regional war?

JS: Anytime American military force is used, it should be tied to very specific national security objectives. In Iran, that means preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, degrading its ballistic missile capability and preventing support for terrorism throughout the region. 

I think those objectives have largely been achieved through recent military action. The goal now should be to establish a permanent ceasefire and restore access through the Strait of Hormuz.

At what point should Congress formally authorize military involvement abroad?

JS: Congress can declare war anytime it wants under the Constitution. I think the War Powers Act is appropriately structured because it allows the administration to respond to imminent threats while preserving Congress’ authority afterward.

President Obama used military force in Libya without congressional approval for months. President Clinton did the same in Kosovo. I think the actions involving Iran have been consistent with that precedent.

You come from one of the most prominent political families in New Hampshire history. What do you think gets lost about you personally amid the Sununu name and political history?

JS: My grandfather grew up in the Middle East. My grandmother was born and raised in El Salvador. My father was born in Cuba. My family came to New Hampshire in 1970. It’s not as though we’ve been a political dynasty in New Hampshire for 200 years. What it really shows is that if you work hard, focus on the right things and commit yourself to representing people the right way, New Hampshire voters respond. I’ve been very happy outside politics for more than 15 years, but when you see an opportunity to use your experience to make a difference, that’s what public service is about.

If this campaign succeeds, what do you want it to have stood for politically and personally?

JS: If, at the end of the day, people look at my campaign and my service and say, “There’s someone who understood how unique and special New Hampshire is and always put that first,” I’ll be satisfied.

Is there anything not on your resume that you think New Hampshire voters should know about you?

JS: I’ve skied Tuckerman Ravine a half-dozen times. I’ve been to the South Pole. And I’ve got three grown children who are happy, employed and untethered from their parents, and nothing makes a parent more proud than that.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.