Jewish Voter Guide
John E. Sununu
U.S. Senate · NH · Republican
Summary
John E. Sununu is the Republican nominee in New Hampshire's 2026 U.S. Senate election and will face Democratic nominee Chris Pappas.
Sununu previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2003 and in the U.S. Senate from 2003 to 2009. As a New Hampshire congressman from 1997 to 2003, Sununu repeatedly broke with his party to oppose pro-Israel measures. He was one of only three Republicans to vote against a 1997 resolution affirming Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital, one of six Republicans to oppose a 1999 measure against Palestinian statehood, and in 2000 he voted "present" on a resolution backing Israel and condemning Palestinian Authority violence. Later, as a senator, his positions shifted closer to the Republican mainstream. He supported defense spending bills in 2005 and 2007 that authorized military aid to Israel, and in 2008 he cosponsored a resolution marking Israel's 60th anniversary and celebrating US-Israel ties. In 2026, he has criticized President Trump's war with Iran while acknowledging that the campaign degraded Iran's nuclear and ballistic-missile capabilities. He has also spoken directly about rising antisemitism and described combating it as a cultural and community responsibility.
The record
Positions come from public votes, statements and on-the-record interviews. Every claim links to its source. No aggregate score or grade.
Preventing a Nuclear Iran
Sununu said the 2026 Iran campaign had degraded Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles, while also saying he would not have initiated the war and wanted it to end quickly.
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Condemning and Combating Terrorism
Sununu’s campaign lauded the Trump administration’s efforts to provide support for the Lebanese government in disarming Hezbollah, stating that “with this bold approach, the administration has created an unprecedented opportunity for peace initiatives to move forward in the region.”
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Fighting Antisemitism
Sununu has said antisemitic rhetoric has increased and that political leaders must push back against it. He described antisemitism as a broader cultural problem affecting both political parties.
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Protecting Jewish Students on Campus
As governor, Sununu said combating antisemitism required addressing it in schools and ensuring security for Jewish communities.
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Protecting Jewish Institutions and Communities
Sununu said his administration ensured security for Jewish communities in New Hampshire.
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Standing Against Political Extremism
Sununu has described antisemitic rhetoric as a cross-partisan problem and argued that political leaders should actively reject it.
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Engagement with the Jewish Community
Sununu has described direct engagement with local Jewish leaders and Holocaust survivors as part of his approach to combating antisemitism in New Hampshire.
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A note on methodology. This guide is published as an educational reference. The American Jewish Congress does not endorse candidates and does not publish aggregate scores. If you spot a position that needs an update or a better source, please reach the office.