Scott Brown Announces New Hampshire Senate Run for 2026

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Former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown declared his candidacy Wednesday for the New Hampshire Senate seat in 2026, setting the stage for a perhaps tight race against Democratic Representative Chris Pappas. Brown, a Republican, aims to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who previously defeated him in a 2014 bid for the same position.

Brown Challenges pappas, Citing Economic Concerns

Brown launched his campaign with a video criticizing Pappas’s alignment with President biden’s policies.”In Washington,we haven’t been represented by the right people,” brown stated. “For four years, Chris Pappas has stood with Joe Biden as he opened the border, drove up the cost of everything and made life just simply unaffordable.” He further asserted that sending pappas to the Senate woudl perpetuate these issues.

Did You Know? The median household income in New Hampshire was $88,465 in 2023, higher than the national average, but rising costs are still a concern for many residents (U.S.Census Bureau).

New Hampshire’s Senate Landscape

Republicans are eyeing New Hampshire as a potential pickup in the 2026 elections. While the last GOP Senate victory in the state was in 2010 with Kelly Ayotte, the party sees this race as one of their top opportunities, behind Georgia and Michigan. Currently, Senate Republicans hold 53 seats and are heading into the 2026 elections with a favorable map, with only two GOP-held seats considered competitive by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales.

Pappas responded to Brown’s declaration by emphasizing his commitment to New hampshire and accusing Brown of siding with “corporate special interests.” He stated, “While Scott brown looks for yet another opportunity to do Wall Street’s bidding and blindly support President Trump and his agenda, I’ll always put New Hampshire first.”

A Look Back at Brown’s Political Career

Brown’s entry into the Senate began with an unexpected victory in a 2010 special election in Massachusetts, filling the seat of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. He subsequently lost a full-term bid to Elizabeth Warren in 2012. Following this defeat, Brown relocated to New Hampshire, were he has family ties, and unsuccessfully challenged Shaheen in 2014, losing by a narrow margin of 3 points.

Following his time in the Senate, Brown served as the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa during President Trump’s governance. his wife, Gail Huff Brown, a former broadcast journalist, also entered the political arena, running for Pappas’s 1st District seat in 2022. She finished third in the Republican primary, which was won by Karoline Leavitt, who now serves as the White House press secretary.

Trump’s Endorsement and the Republican Field

Brown, who endorsed Trump for president early in 2016, has expressed his desire for the former president’s support in this race. “Ther’s no assurances in anything in life at all. I live every day as if it’s my last – and certainly I would love the president’s endorsement,” Brown told WMUR.

While Pappas appears to have a clear path on the democratic side, the Republican field remains uncertain. Former governor Chris Sununu has ruled out a run. Walter McFarlane, a businessman who previously sought the Republican nomination to challenge Pappas, is considering a bid, as is nonprofit executive Phil Taub, who previously considered challenging Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on local New Hampshire news outlets for the latest developments in this evolving Senate race.

Party Reactions and Race Outlook

The National Republican Senatorial Campaign (NRSC) has not yet endorsed Brown but expressed optimism about their chances in New Hampshire. “Scott Brown is right that Democrats like Chris Pappas are out-of-touch with Granite Staters. new Hampshire is in play for Republicans in 2026, and we play to win,” stated NRSC regional press secretary Nick Puglia.

Democrats, though, are confident that Brown’s past defeats in the state will hinder his chances. “Republicans have not won a Senate seat in New Hampshire in more than a decade and 2026 will be no different,” saeid Maeve Coyle, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Inside elections currently rates the Senate race in New Hampshire as a battleground, indicating a highly competitive contest.