Former Sen. John E. Sununu (R) has officially jumped into the race to reclaim New Hampshire‘s Senate seat, after he was ousted by current Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in 2008.
“Washington’s never been perfect. It’s not meant to be,” Sununu said in his campaign launch video. “When I was there, people with different opinions could get together, work things out and come to solutions that made a real difference. But now, Congress just seems loud, dysfunctional, even angry. But Granite Staters still talk. We don’t always agree, but we respect one another and work together for the common good. That’s the New Hampshire way.”
Sununu has been in Republicans’s sights as a top recruit for the seat. His brother, former Gov. Chris Sununu, rejected calls to jump into the race. Both brothers have been critical of President Donald Trump, with the former governor was a vocal supporter of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley during her primary bid against the president. He’s expected to meet with Trump soon over an endorsement, according to Politico.
Sununu framed his campaign as one that would “lower the temperature” of politics.
“Maybe you’re surprised to hear that I’m running for the Senate again,” Sununu added. “I’m a bit surprised myself. Why would anyone subject themselves to everything going on there right now? Well, somebody has to step up and lower the temperature. Somebody has to get things done.”
He promised to protect Medicare, “tackle health care costs,” and to never vote to cut benefits for seniors on Social Security.
A government watchdog warned in July that Social Security benefits will be cut by 24% by late 2032, which would equal an $18,100 annual benefit cut for a dual-earning, middle-class couple that retires at the start of 2033, unless reforms are put into place.
Health care costs and benefits have been a hot topic in Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown. Democrats are refusing to vote in favor of funding the government unless Republicans come to the table to negotiate extending Obamacare premiums, which are set to expire this year.
Sununu is seen as a frontrunner already, given his access to his family wealth to support his bid, and his strong connections with party leadership including Senate Majority Leader John Thune. His father also served as governor of New Hampshire, and then worked as Chief of Staff to President George H. W. Bush.
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The former senator will face off against fellow Republican former Sen. Scott Brown, who served in Massachusetts from 2010-2013. State Sen. Dan Innis, who was also running for the seat, already dropped his bid and endorsed Sununu.
For the Democrats, Rep. Chris Pappas is running. Polling from September shows Sununu more competitive against Pappas than Brown.
“If Sununu runs, Chris Pappas will be in for the fight of his political career,” the memo from 1892 Polling read.