John E. Sununu, a former Republican senator from New Hampshire, is considering a potential 2026 campaign for the US Senate seat he once held, according to multiple media reports.
Sununu, 60, confirmed on Wednesday in an interview with WMUR that he is thinking about mounting a bid in the closely watched race for the office currently held by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is retiring.
The news outlet NOTUS had reported earlier on Wednesday that unnamed sources said Sununu was “actively exploring” the idea. Then The New York Times reported Sununu, whose family name represents a political dynasty in New Hampshire, was likely to announce an exploratory effort.
Sununu confirmed his exploration phase had begun, telling WMUR’s Adam Sexton that he will “seriously consider” campaigning in the GOP primary that’s already contested.
“Over the next month, I’ll travel across the state. I’ll talk to people. I’ll listen, get their perspective, make sure we can make a really strong team,” he said, “and I’ll make a decision by the end of next month.”
Sununu served one term in the Senate. He lost his bid for reelection in 2008 to Shaheen, who went on to win two more terms.
Shaheen, now 78, is retiring, so the 2026 contest has attracted a great deal of attention from Republicans and Democrats alike.
Former US senator Scott P. Brown, 65, was the earliest and highest-profile Republican candidate to enter the race, though he faces a challenge from New Hampshire state Senator Daniel E. Innis, 62. Brown and Innis have both sought to align themselves with President Trump, who hasn’t publicly endorsed anyone in the race.
Shaheen quickly endorsed Christopher C. Pappas, 45, as her preferred successor. He appears to be the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, though he faces a challenge from progressive Karishma Manzur.
In a statement, Pappas said Republicans are scrounging at “the bottom of their failed candidate barrel.” He called Brown a “MAGA puppet” and Sununu a “corporate sellout.”
Meanwhile, an advertisement launched by a team of Republican strategists in New Hampshire slammed Pappas for the stances he has taken on recent legislation, calling him “chicken on the issues.”
The primary election in New Hampshire is just over one year away.
John E. Sununu is an older brother of Christopher T. Sununu, who served as New Hampshire governor until January after opting not to seek reelection in 2024. Despite national Republicans trying to coax him into the race, Chris Sununu opted not to launch a Senate campaign in 2022 and 2026.
Their other siblings include James Sununu and Michael C. Sununu, who have recently served on the select boards of North Hampton, N.H., and Newfields, N.H., respectively.
Their father, John H. Sununu, was governor in the 1980s before serving as White House chief of staff for President George H. W. Bush. Their mother, Nancy H. Sununu, who died last fall, served as chair of the New Hampshire GOP.
James Pindell of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
