Gov. Chris Sununu says he's going to sit out the 2026 U.S. Senate race -- what does that mean for New Hampshire politics?

NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham asks veteran political reporter Mark Halperin. He gives his take on Sununu's decision, the chances Republicans will pick up the seat, and why he thinks Rep. Maggie Goodlander could be the biggest danger to Rep. Chris Pappas' Senate hopes.

In addition to some rank punditry from the host, state Rep. James Spillane (R-Deerfield) talks about his recent trip to Israel with a group of legislators, and what Granite Staters should know about the Gaza conflict.

This podcast sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Find Mark Halperin's 2Way platform here.

New Hampshire Democrats are as mad as hell, and they're not gonna take it anymore! Not from their members of Congress -- as Rep. Maggie Goodlander learned at a town hall this week -- or from their fellow members of the New Hampshire legislature. Just ask progressive Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D-Peterborough).

All that anger is going to have an impact on the 2026 campaigns. The big question is who will be running? Goodlander? Rep. Chris Pappas? Former Gov. Chris Sununu?

Plenty of rank punditry from your host, NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham.

And then William Jacobson with Legal Insurrection joins the conversation to talk about the civil rights complaint he filed regarding UNH's participation in a race-based faculty benefits program. (Cameo appearance by NHJournal reporter Damien Fisher!)

All made possible with help from Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

On this special edition of the New Hampshire Journal podcast, the news just broke that U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen will not seek a fourth term, the third swing-state Senate Democrat to decide to bail before 2026.

What does that mean for New Hampshire? We ask veteran GOP strategist Jim Merrill for his insights into the Granite State's 2026 election cycle without Shaheen at the top of the ticket.

What does it mean for D.C. Democrats and their hopes of winning back control of the upper chamber? Dave Weigel of Semafor reports from Washington on reactions at the national level.

This special edition of the podcast is made possible by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

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