Republican · New Hampshire Senate · 2026
John Sununu
Sununu grew up in Salem as one of eight children, in a family where public service became something of a household occupation.
Biography
John E. Sununu grew up in Salem and lives in Rye with his wife, Kitty; they have three children.1 His father, John H., and brother, Chris, both served as New Hampshire governor.2 His own earliest political memories include his mother, Nancy, chairing the Salem school board.1
Sununu earned bachelor's and master's degrees at MIT in 1987, followed by a Harvard MBA in 1991.3 Before Congress, he worked in engineering, consulting and manufacturing and ran operations at a Manchester electronics company.1 He represented New Hampshire in the House from 1997 to 2003 and the Senate from 2003 to 2009.3
He sponsored the 2006 law that added civil liberties safeguards to the PATRIOT Act reauthorization.45 It clarified the ability of recipients of certain intelligence records orders to challenge nondisclosure requirements in court.6 Since leaving Congress, his roles have included teaching at Saint Anselm College, chairing Waterville Valley Ski Resort's board and serving as a Boston Scientific director.1
His current campaign opposes tax increases on middle income households and emphasizes lowering housing, healthcare and energy costs.1 He also advocates privacy protections against government surveillance and the collection of personal information by large technology companies.1 He faces Democrat Chris Pappas on November 3, seeking to return to the Senate through the seat Jeanne Shaheen is leaving.7