Former New Hampshire Republican Sen. John E. Sununu is interested in running for Senate again to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who ended his Senate career back in 2008.
Multiple sources told NOTUS that Sununu has been telling people he is interested in running again and is actively exploring a bid. After failing to recruit former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, national Republicans turned their attention to his brother, who beat Shaheen in 2002 to win the seat, then subsequently lost to her in the next election.
Sununu also confirmed to NOTUS that he is considering another run, saying he will make a decision “by the end of next month.”
This would be a huge win for national Republicans who view Sununu as one of their last chances to make the New Hampshire race competitive this election cycle against the likely Democratic candidate, Rep. Chris Pappas. Former Sen. Scott Brown — who represented Massachusetts and previously lost to Shaheen in 2014 in New Hampshire — has declared he’s running on the Republican side.
Sununu is expected to announce his interest and that he is forming an exploratory committee as early as Wednesday, one of the sources told NOTUS.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and outgoing Senate Leadership Fund Chairman Cory Gardner have had conversations with Sununu about running and have lobbied him to enter the race.
Sununu did not respond to a request for comment.