Former Senator John E. Sununu won the New Hampshire Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, defeating Scott Brown and securing the GOP nomination in a race that is expected to be pivotal for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Sununu, 61, was the clear favorite in the primary. He previously served in the Senate from 2003 to 2009, representing New Hampshire before leaving office. Brown, a former U.S. senator from Massachusetts, later moved to New Hampshire and served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa during Donald Trump’s first term. President Trump had expressed support for Sununu earlier this year, despite Sununu’s past criticism of the former president. In a 2024 op-ed, Sununu called Trump a "loser" and endorsed Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary. On the campaign trail, Sununu has sought to distance himself from Trump’s policies, criticizing the administration’s tariff strategy and urging Congress to rein in executive power. He also voiced concerns about the decision to take military action in Iran, arguing that launching a war without a plan to secure the Strait of Hormuz was a "tactical mistake." This stance may resonate in New Hampshire, where Trump’s approval rating is at 38%. Sununu and Brown did not respond to interview requests from The Guardian. Kristen Cianci, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), called Sununu a "strong candidate" who is "well positioned to beat out Pappas" in the general election. She noted that while Democrats have faced internal divisions, Republicans have focused on key issues like affordability and national security. Sununu will now face Democrat Chris Pappas, a congressman who defeated a progressive challenger in the Democratic primary and is widely expected to be a strong contender. Some Democrats are worried that New Hampshire could become a "sleeper risk" — a state where Republicans control the legislature but have not won a Senate race since 2010, when Kelly Ayotte, now the governor, captured the seat. The outcome of the November election in New Hampshire could have major implications for whether Democrats can gain control of the Senate.