President Donald Trump endorsed former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu on Truth Social, calling him an "America First Patriot" and giving his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Sununu, a former House member and senator who lost his 2008 re-election bid to Jeanne Shaheen, has previously criticized Trump and backed Nikki Haley in a 2024 op-ed. Democrats warn the open New Hampshire seat could be unexpectedly competitive, while the RNC called it a key race for November. Republican Scott Brown said he will continue his campaign despite the endorsement, and Sununu’s campaign had no immediate comment.
Trump Endorses John Sununu in Competitive New Hampshire Senate Race
John Sununu, a candidate for the Senate in New Hampshire, lost his Senate re-election bid to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in 2008. (John Sununu via YouTube)(John Sununu via YouTube)
President Donald Trump on Sunday publicly endorsed former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu in the open New Hampshire Senate contest, elevating Sununu above other Republican contenders as the GOP aims to flip the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump called Sununu an "America First Patriot" and announced his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
"John is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected Leaders in New Hampshire, and many Republicans in the U.S. Senate and, as your next Senator, he will work tirelessly to advance our America First Agenda," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Sununu is a veteran of Congress, having represented New Hampshire in the U.S. House and served one term in the Senate before losing his 2008 re-election bid to Jeanne Shaheen. Although Trump has now backed him, Sununu has been a past critic of the former president: in a 2024 op-ed for the New Hampshire Union Leader endorsing Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary, Sununu called Trump a "loser."
Sununu’s campaign had not immediately responded to requests for comment about the endorsement.
Reactions and Stakes
Democrats have warned the open New Hampshire seat could be more competitive than expected and urged activists and voters not to "sleep" on the race. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), the Democratic candidate, mocked the endorsement on X by reposting Trump’s Truth Social message with the comment:
"I’m Chris Pappas, and I approve this message."
The Republican National Committee emphasized the race’s importance: RNC spokesperson Kristen Cianci said the seat is "one to watch this cycle," and called the president’s endorsement a sign Republicans are preparing to mobilize in November.
Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who has also been serving as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa and is running in the GOP primary, pledged on X to continue his campaign after the endorsement. Brown said voters "deserve a choice" and that he remains committed to advancing an "America First" agenda through continued service.
With the Republican primary now drawing sharper national attention, Trump’s backing of Sununu adds a notable dynamic to a race that could help determine control of the Senate in November.
Originally published on NBCNews.com.
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