Brown Launches U.S. Senate Bid, Targets Pappas

By Michael Graham, NH Journal

“Chris Pappas wants a better title? I want a better America.”

And with that, Scott Brown launched his long-anticipated 2026 U.S. Senate race, hoping to face off against U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas.

Brown officially announced his candidacy Wednesday morning with the release of a video filled with images of his military service, his previous political successes and — perhaps most significant — plenty of images of President Donald Trump.

“President Trump is fighting every day to right the ship,” said Brown, who served as Trump’s Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. “If we send Chris Pappas to the Senate, we’ll get more of the same. But if we want a better future, we need a change in direction.”

Brown is best known in U.S. politics as the Massachusetts state legislator who won a stunning upset victory in the special election to fill the vacancy created by the death of U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy in 2010.

Brown lost his bid for re-election to Elizabeth Warren in 2012, moved to New Hampshire and — in 2014– nearly upset incumbent U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

Brown, who lives in Rye with his wife (and one-time congressional candidate) Gail Huff Brown, is highlighting the fact that he was born at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (in 1959) and his family has deep Granite State roots. It’s an attempt to address the “carpetbagger” attacks likely to come from Democrats. (With Maggie Goodlander, who moved into the district just months before the election, now representing the Second Congressional District, those attacks are likely to be muted.)

The filing period for the U.S. Senate race doesn’t open for another year, but it already appears Pappas will have the Democratic field to himself. But several Republicans are considering entering the Senate primary, including state Sen. Dan Innis (R-Bradford), businessman Phil Taub, and political unknown Walter McFarlane.

“Rumours is my favorite Fleetwood Mac album, but this is not a rumor,” Innis said in a social media post regarding a Senate race. “My family and (his husband) Spencer’s family matter, and this is a major decision that has not yet been made, but a conclusion will be reached by Independence Day.”

Some Granite State Republicans are already putting their weight behind Brown’s bid.

“Scott Brown is a battle-tested leader who’s ready to fight for New Hampshire values and get our country back on track,” said Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem). “I’m proud to stand with him on Day 1 because he’s the Granite State fighter we need in the U.S. Senate.”

But the endorsement everyone is watching will come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And political players in Washington, D.C. with ties to the Trump administration have made no secret of their desire to find a nominee other than Brown.

Asked by WMUR if he has “assurances” that his former boss, President Trump, will endorse him in the primary, Brown said, “There’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.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee says, despite the GOP’s dismal performance in federal races the past 14 years, this seat is in play.

“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,” said NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia.

While Brown was critical of Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, he has largely been a vocal supporter of the former and current president. He’s also made inroads with GOP primary voters by hosting his “No B.S. Backyard BBQs” to let voters meet Republican candidates for president.

Brown is the lead singer and guitarist for his rock band, Scott Brown and the Diplomats. He also coaches high school basketball and competes in triathlons.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.