Sununu's decision impacts New Hampshire Republican candidates' plans

Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is facing pressure to run for the U.S. Senate. Just two months after leaving office, he is back in the spotlight. Sununu had previously said he was not planning to run for office again, stating, "In the next 10 years, I don't have any plans." However, following Senator Jeanne Shaheen's announcement that she will not seek a fourth term in 2026, Sununu is reconsidering his options. If he decides to run, it would mark a change from his past reluctance to enter high-stakes political races. In 2021, he was encouraged to run for Senate but chose not to, citing negative experiences from his father's time in politics. Sununu explored a presidential run during the early 2024 primary but also opted out. He publicly criticized former President Donald Trump at that time. Recently, Sununu expressed excitement about the prospect of joining influential figures like Trump and Elon Musk in Washington. This has drawn attention from Democrats, who are concerned about his plans to change Social Security. Republicans are now in a holding pattern while they await Sununu's decision. Neil Levesque from the New Hampshire Institute of Politics noted that the political landscape is stalled until Sununu makes up his mind, as he remains a popular figure in the state.