New Hampshire's GOP Primary Features Two Familiar Names From the Past, and Voters Are Fine With That

New Hampshire Republicans are getting ready to vote in a primary election on Tuesday. The two main candidates for the U.S. Senate seat are both former senators who served in Washington many years ago. Instead of choosing a fresh, new face, many voters seem excited to bring back someone they already know. This is different from what is happening in many other states, where voters have been picking outsiders and newcomers.

The two top candidates are John Sununu and Scott Brown. Sununu is 61 years old and served in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms and in the Senate for one term. He lost his Senate seat back in 2008 to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. That means he has not been on a ballot in 18 years — long enough for babies born in his last year in office to now be old enough to vote.

Brown is 66 years old and also has a long history in politics. He won a special election in Massachusetts in 2009 after Senator Ted Kennedy died. Brown later lost that seat and also lost a race in New Hampshire back in 2014. Both men are grandparents, and both say their years of experience make them the best choice for voters.

One voter, Paul Martino, 57, from North Hampton, said he is supporting Sununu because Sununu seems smart, honest, and focused on helping the community. 'We need more people who try to find commonalities we can work off of versus differences we can use to be divisive,' Martino said. He believes the country needs leaders who look for things people agree on, not just things that divide them. Many other Republican voters in the state seem to feel the same way.

Sununu has a famous last name in New Hampshire politics. His younger brother, Chris Sununu, was the state's governor for eight years and was very popular. Because of that, some voters get the two brothers mixed up. At a recent barbecue, one supporter even took a photo with John Sununu and told a reporter she liked him as governor — not realizing she was talking about John, not Chris.

John Sununu says he is focused on his own record and accomplishments, not his brother's fame. 'I'm sure when Chris ran, people thought he was me,' he said. 'His independence and focus on New Hampshire is certainly something he got from me, and that I'll try to emulate as well.' Brown, on the other hand, says Sununu is running mostly on his famous name. Brown argues that he will work harder and connect more with everyday voters.

President Donald Trump plays a smaller role in this primary than in many others across the country. Trump endorsed Sununu back in February, even though Brown had served as Trump's ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa during Trump's first term in office. Sununu had even called Trump a 'loser' during the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Still, Trump gave his support to Sununu, which helped Sununu avoid having to compete for Trump's favor.

A political science professor at the University of New Hampshire named Dante Scala said he was surprised that Brown did not make the race more about who supports Trump the most. Scala said Brown comes from an earlier time in politics and may find it hard to use the newer style of campaigning. Brown does say he is independent and can vote based on what he believes is best, rather than what party leaders want. 'I'm a freelancer. I have the ability to vote my conscience,' Brown said.

Both Sununu and Brown say their independence is one of the most important things they offer voters. Sununu said he does not need to worry about getting reelected or making people in Washington happy. 'I'll just stand up for New Hampshire,' he said. Brown said Sununu cannot break away from the president or from special interest groups, but Brown can.

On the Democratic side, the primary also has some interesting candidates. U.S. Representative Chris Pappas, who is 46 and has served four terms in Congress, raised a lot of money for his campaign. But a newer candidate named Karishma Manzur, a 52-year-old research scientist with a doctorate degree, has been gaining ground in the polls. She received the endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders.

No matter who wins each party's primary on Tuesday, the two winners will face each other in the general election in November. That election is just eight weeks away. Voter Ed Gleason, 89, of Pelham, said he decided to support Brown because of his experience and his dedication to New Hampshire residents. 'We've got to get some stability in there, and we've got to get some people working for the constituents as opposed to the party,' Gleason said.