New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu Declines Run for Senate, Spurning National Republicans

Sununu's Decision Deals Blow to GOP Hopes

After months of courting, Republicans are left desperate for a candidate

CNN - New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu on Tuesday announced he will not run against Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan, dealing a significant blow to Republican hopes of flipping the seat in the upcoming midterm elections.

Sununu's decision comes after months of intense speculation and lobbying by national Republicans, who viewed him as their best chance to defeat Hassan. The GOP has been desperate for a strong candidate to challenge Hassan, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators up for reelection in 2022.

Sununu, a popular two-term governor, had been widely expected to run for Senate. He had been meeting with Republican leaders in recent weeks, and many believed he was on the verge of announcing his candidacy.

However, in a statement released Tuesday morning, Sununu said he had decided to stay on as governor and not run for Senate. He cited the need to focus on New Hampshire's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as his reason for not running.

Sununu's decision leaves Republicans scrambling for a candidate to challenge Hassan. The GOP field is currently thin, and there is no clear frontrunner. Hassan is considered a strong candidate, and she is likely to be difficult to defeat.

The New Hampshire Senate race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country in 2022. Democrats are hoping to hold onto the seat, while Republicans are desperate to flip it. Sununu's decision not to run has made the race even more uncertain, and it is now unclear who will emerge as the GOP nominee.