John Sununu’s 2026 Senate Bid Highlights Family Dynasty and Small-Business Appeal

Republican former U.S. senator John E. Sununu is contesting New Hampshire’s open Senate seat against Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas. A Saint Anselm College poll shows Pappas leading by seven points; a GOP-sponsored National Public Affairs survey gives him a five-point edge. A RealClearPolitics average places Sununu behind by 6.7 points. Sununu’s campaign emphasizes a “person-to-person” retail strategy, small-business credentials, and an effort to distance himself from former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement he says he has never met.

The Hill

The Sununu family has been a fixture in New Hampshire Republican politics since the early 1980s. John H. Sununu served as governor and White House chief of staff; his sons, John E. Sununu (U.S. House 1997-2003, Senate 2003-2009) and Chris Sununu (four-term governor, now president and CEO of Airlines for America), have held statewide office. Republicans have not won a Senate seat in the state since 2010.

New York PostBoston GlobeNew Hampshire Pubic Radio

• Polling: Cook Political Report favors Democrats; Saint Anselm College poll – Pappas +7 pts; GOP-sponsored poll – Pappas +5 pts; RealClearPolitics average – Sununu –6.7 pts.

The Hill

• Wealth: Disclosures show Sununu’s assets grew from roughly $1 million after leaving Congress to about $36 million now, including a $5 million stake in a family-run Azerbaijan mine and holdings in Boston Scientific. In 2023 he earned $400,000 as a director of Boston Scientific, $220,000 consulting for Lloyds America, $75,000 for TAP Advisors, $200,000 for MIT, $180,000 for Democracy Defense, and $4,600 teaching at St. Anselm College.

New Hampshire Pubic Radio

• Small-business experience: Sununu cites a 30-year role at Teletrol Systems (?30 employees), involvement with the family-owned Waterville Valley ski resort, and advisory work for Juliet Marine.

New Hampshire Pubic Radio

Governor Chris Sununu told CNN he is “not involved at all” in his brother’s campaign but remains “incredibly supportive,” adding that New Hampshire is “a small business state.” In a campaign ad, Sununu said he will oppose Trump-aligned policies that harm the state, noting he has “never really spoken to” the former president.

New York Post

Former Republican attorney general Tom Rath warned that “the infection that Trump is visiting on the entire Republican ticket is a huge burden even for a strong candidate like John Sununu.” Democratic candidate Chris Pappas has accused the Sununu campaign of exploiting name confusion, noting that yard signs read “Sununu Senator” and a debate moderator once addressed John Sununu as “Chris.” Voter anecdotes from the pumpkin festival illustrate lingering confusion, with some attendees initially greeting John Sununu as his brother.

Boston GlobeNew York Post

With one week remaining before Election Day, both campaigns are intensifying door-to-door outreach and media advertising. Sununu’s team plans additional visits to local businesses, while Pappas continues to leverage high-profile Democratic endorsements. Voters will cast ballots in November, determining whether the Sununu dynasty can reclaim a Senate seat for the GOP.

Boston Globe