John E. Sununu Faces Family Legacy in NH Senate Race

“If they didn’t share the same last name, I’m not sure you would guess they’re actually brothers, because they’re really different people,” says Fergus Cullen, who was chair of the New Hampshire GOP when John E. Sununu last ran for office in 2008. This distinction is now the central tension in a high-stakes race for the U.S. Senate, where John E. Sununu is attempting to reclaim a seat he last held almost two decades ago.

John E. Sununu is in a close-fought race for the US Senate against Democratic Representative Chris Pappas. While the Sununu name carries weight in New Hampshire—spanning generations of political power—the candidate is discovering that name recognition is a double-edged sword. He isn’t just running against Pappas; he’s running against the lingering, jovial image of his younger brother, Chris, who recently served four terms as governor.

The contrast between the Sununu brothers

For those who have watched New Hampshire politics for years, the difference in disposition between the two brothers is stark. Chris Sununu built a brand on high-energy accessibility, famously visiting what felt like every sugar shack and scenic view in the state during his “super 603 days” and recording a custom version of “I’ve Been Everywhere” to document his adventures. He was the face of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic and more than one primary cycle.

New Hampshire U.S. Senate race heats up: Chris Pappas, John Sununu make final push

John E. Sununu, 62, is described by longtime political observers as more serious and occasionally sharp, mirroring the temperament of their father, John H. Sununu. While Chris is the “people person” who relishes the chaos of a third-grade field trip, John is viewed as being more enamored with the intricacies of policy. This divide extends even to their hobbies: John and his father collect stamps, while Chris prefers coins.

“John E. is likable, but Chris was more likable,” Cullen added. “He was more of an outgoing people person.” Fergus Cullen

Despite these differences, the 2026 campaign has forced John E. back into the grueling world of retail politics. At the Laconia Pumpkin Festival on October 24, he was seen sprinting through crowds, posing for selfies with costumed attendees, and purchasing local pantry staples like pumpkin butter and hot pepper jelly. It is a calculated effort to reintroduce himself to a voting bloc that may remember the name, but not the man.

🔴 LIVE: Chris Pappas and John Sununu Face Off at New Hampshire Senate Forum | AC1E

A political record lost to time

The challenge for John E. Sununu is a generational gap in memory. He left elected office in 2009, an era that predates the ubiquity of the smartphone. For younger voters, his legislative highlights—such as his role in the ouster of Alberto Gonzales—are largely unknown. He spent the intervening years as a political operative and commentator, notably working on John Kasich’s 2016 presidential campaign and publicly labeling Donald Trump a “loser.”

In a national environment that has proven difficult for Republicans, John E. has distanced himself from the current Republican president. Former New Hampshire Attorney General Tom Rath notes that this independence prevents Democrats from easily painting him as a “Trump wannabe.”

However, the “infection” that Trump is visiting on the entire Republican ticket, as Rath describes it, still creates a heavy burden for any GOP candidate. This national drag is reflected in current polling, which shows a tight race favoring Chris Pappas.

The dynasty as a campaign weapon

Representative Chris Pappas has attempted to turn the Sununu family legacy into a liability, suggesting that the candidate is relying on “mistaken identity” as a strategy. The idea is simple: that voters might cast a ballot for John E. thinking they are voting for the more popular Chris. Both brothers have dismissed this claim.

Chris Sununu told CNN that if voters were merely confusing the two, his own numbers would have been significantly higher. The brothers maintain there is no rivalry, though the public perception of their dynasty remains split. To some, like 45-year-old Nashua resident Matt Wheeler, the Sununu era has gone on long enough. To others, the pedigree is a guarantee of “conservative normalcy.”

The confusion is real, if occasional. During the Laconia festival, one voter expressed his love for the candidate, noting he had voted for him before when he was governor—forgetting that it was the brother, not the candidate, who held the governor’s mansion.

As the election nears, John E. Sununu is betting that his history of bucking his own party and his deep roots in the state’s political soil will be enough to overcome both a Democratic opponent and the towering shadow of his own family.

When asked if people were confused about his identity, John E. Sununu flashed a tight grin and called the notion “pretty ridiculous.”