Full Breakdown
Sununu Dynasty Tested in New Hampshire Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Senate Race Overview
Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu is seeking to reclaim the seat held by retiring Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen. He faces Democratic U.S. Representative Chris Pappas, who is viewed as the favorite in a state that has voted Democratic in recent federal elections, including a narrow win for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. The contest pits a well-known political family against a candidate with strong local ties and a prominent family-owned restaurant.
Political History and Dynastic Context
The Sununu family has been a fixture in New Hampshire politics for four decades. John H. Sununu served as governor (1982-89) and later as White House chief of staff. His son John E. Sununu held the Senate seat from 2003-09, while brother Chris Sununu was governor from 2017-2025. Analysts note that the dynasty’s name recognition historically provided a modest edge, but the current federal environment is more partisan than the gubernatorial races that the family previously won.
Polls and Voter Registration
A University of New Hampshire poll of 1,846 likely voters (August 20-24) showed Sununu leading 45 % to 43 %, a 2-point margin within a ±2.3 % error range. Subsequent surveys indicated a shift toward Pappas: a UNH poll (September 17-21, 1,392 likely voters) gave him an 8-point lead, 50 % to 42 % (±2.5 %); a New York Times/Siena University poll (September 15-22, 613 likely voters) showed a 5-point advantage, 50 % to 45 % (±4.9 %). As of September 18, 307,254 New Hampshirites were unaffiliated, compared with 298,965 registered Republicans and 255,943 Democrats.
Official Statements & Responses
Andrew Smith, director of the UNH Survey Center, said Sununu’s name recognition likely adds about a three-percentage-point advantage but emphasized that national issues such as the economy will dominate voter decisions. Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, described the Sununu family as having “some really strong people” and noted Sununu’s ability to localize the campaign. Sununu’s campaign released an ad distancing him from former President Donald Trump, asserting that he would oppose policies “bad for New Hampshire,” including past wars and trade disputes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “About half of the people in the state weren’t eligible to vote or didn’t live in the state back when he ran for office last time,” — Smith. Sununu, former senator