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Sununu Declines To Run For New Hampshire Senate Seat

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Photo of Chris Sununu via Gage Skidmore Flckr

It’s official…

On Tuesday, former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he will not run for Senate in 2026.

Sununu, who served as governor for four two-year terms before not seeking reelection in November, announced his decision in an interview with local news outlet the Pulse of New Hampshire.

โ€œIโ€™m not going to run,โ€ Sununu said, according to NH Journal. โ€œI really thought about it. I actually talked to the White House this morning. I talked to Tim Scott. Thanked him for all their support and confidence and all that. But I donโ€™t have to be the candidate, and Iโ€™m not going to be the candidate.โ€

Speculation that Sununu may run was further stoked on Sunday after President Trump said that he met with Sununu in the Oval Office and declared his support for his potential candidacy. Trump said he hoped that Sununu would run and expected that he would win. 

On the Democrat side, Rep. Chris Pappas announced his candidacy for the seat on Thursday after a listening tour in which he traveled to all 10 of the stateโ€™s counties as he considered running. 

Former Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican who represented Massachusetts in the Senate from 2010 to 2013, recently announced his candidacy for Senate.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Trump Says GOP Has a ‘Good Bench’ for 2028โ€”But Wonโ€™t Name a Successor Yet

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President Trump says Republicans are well-positioned for the futureโ€”and that the party has a deep lineup of potential leaders ready to carry the America First agenda into 2028.

In an interview airing Wednesday night on NewsNationโ€™s โ€œKatie Pavlich Tonight,โ€ Trump was asked whether he sees a clear successor who could continue his legacy in the White House.

โ€œI hope so,โ€ Trump said. โ€œAnd we certainly have a good bench. We have some very talented people.โ€

While the president acknowledged he has early favorites, he declined to name any one candidate this far out.

โ€œI do, but itโ€™s so early,โ€ Trump told Pavlich. โ€œI donโ€™t like to [say].โ€

Trump Highlights Key Leaders Driving the Agenda

When pressed for names, Trump pointed to the strength of his administration and the results his team is deliveringโ€”especially on issues central to Republican voters, including border security, economic recovery, and restoring Americaโ€™s standing abroad.

โ€œLook, we have great people,โ€ Trump said. โ€œIโ€™m not just talking about one or twoโ€”we have so many great people.โ€

Asked again who specifically stood out, Trump singled out several of the most prominent figures in his circle:

  • Vice President JD Vance, whom Trump credited with strong leadership and loyalty to the MAGA coalition
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a familiar and experienced voice on foreign policy
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has been a key figure in Trumpโ€™s economic team

Trump also praised officials leading the administrationโ€™s crackdown on illegal immigration and security efforts:

  • Tom Homan, Trumpโ€™s border czar and a longtime advocate of tougher enforcement
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has taken a visible role in administration security priorities

โ€œI could name 20 people that are phenomenal,โ€ Trump added.

A Sign of Confidenceโ€”and a Message to Voters

Trumpโ€™s remarks are being read by many Republicans as a clear message: the GOP is not just a one-man movement. While Trump remains the dominant figure in conservative politics, his comments suggest the broader America First bench is expandingโ€”a sign of stability and staying power for the party beyond any single election cycle.

In recent years, Republican voters have increasingly prioritized candidates who will:

  • fight the administrative state rather than manage it
  • take border enforcement seriously
  • resist โ€œforever warโ€ foreign policy
  • challenge corporate-media narratives instead of courting them

Trumpโ€™s list reflects that shift and highlights Republicans who have gained credibility with the base through real governance and public-facing leadership.

Midterms: Republicans Eye a Comeback in 2026

The comments come as Republicans begin gearing up for the 2026 midterms following setbacks in last yearโ€™s elections. Democrats and their allied media have tried to portray those results as a long-term trendโ€”yet history suggests otherwise.

Trump himself addressed the challenge in an earlier Fox News interview, noting that the party in power โ€œalways losesโ€ seats in midterm elections. That pattern has been true for decades and reflects voter turnout dynamics and backlash politics more than any permanent realignment.

A new Emerson College poll shows Democrats leading a hypothetical generic ballot matchup at 48.1% to 41.7%, with 10.2% undecided. But Republicans caution that early pollingโ€”especially this far from Election Dayโ€”often fails to capture likely-voter turnout, local issues, and late-breaking shifts that typically determine midterms.

Bottom Line

Trump may not be naming a successor yet, but heโ€™s signaling something important: the Republican Party has depth, talent, and rising leaders ready to keep building on the movement voters started in 2016.

For Republicans focused on winning in 2026โ€”and holding the line against Democratsโ€™ spending agenda, cultural policies, and bureaucratic overreachโ€”Trumpโ€™s message was simple: the team is strong, and the fight isnโ€™t slowing down.


Trump Snub? GOP Incumbents Accused of ‘Borrowing’ President’s Support to Survive Brutal Primaries

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President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

President Donald Trumpโ€™s pull inside the Republican Party is still absolute.

His endorsement? Political gold.

โ€œThe Trump endorsement is king in any primary,โ€ longtime GOP strategist Jesse Hunt told Fox News Digital. Fellow Republican consultant Matt Gorman didnโ€™t mince words either, calling it โ€œan undeniable force.โ€

And that reality is driving a new, high-stakes strategy among vulnerable Republicans: if you canโ€™t win Trumpโ€™s backingโ€ฆ try to look like you have it anyway.

PLAYING DEFENSE AGAINST TRUMP-BACKED CHALLENGERS

Across the country, embattled GOP incumbents are facing serious primary threats from candidates backed by Trump himself. And instead of confronting that head-on, some are leaning into carefully crafted messaging that suggests theyโ€™re still aligned with the president.

Take Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy.

Cassidy โ€” one of just seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump after the January 6 impeachment โ€” is now locked in a tough primary against Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow.

But you wouldnโ€™t know that from his ads.

In one spot, Cassidy highlights a fentanyl bill he authored, adding:
โ€œPresident Trump said it was the most important legislation he would sign this year,โ€

Images of Trump appear prominently.

Another ad goes further, flashing โ€œTrump & Cassidyโ€ on screen while touting tax cuts the two โ€œworkedโ€ on together.

Notably missing? Any mention that Trump is backing his opponent.

MASSIEโ€™S PHOTO-OP FLASHBACK

In Kentucky, Rep. Thomas Massie โ€” a longtime Trump critic โ€” is facing a Trump-backed challenger, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.

Massie has repeatedly clashed with Trump, including over the Epstein files and foreign policy. But in a recent campaign ad, he spotlighted an old photo of himself smiling alongside the former president.

A subtle signal โ€” but a deliberate one.

Meanwhile, Trump allies are pouring money into boosting Gallrein and attacking Massie.

CORNERNED IN TEXAS

In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn is fighting for survival in a runoff against MAGA favorite and state Attorney General John Paxton.

Trump hasnโ€™t endorsed either candidate โ€” but Cornyn is making sure voters remember their past relationship.

In one ad, the narrator says Cornyn โ€œhad his back,โ€ as footage shows Trump and the senator giving a thumbs-up together.

โ€œWe’re especially grateful to your wonderful senators,โ€ Trump says in an old clip featured in the ad, referring to Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz.

Unlike Cassidy and Massie, Cornyn isnโ€™t contradicting an endorsement โ€” but heโ€™s still leaning hard into Trumpโ€™s image.

HIGH-RISK STRATEGY?

The tactic may be clever โ€” but itโ€™s also dangerous.

Hunt warns that implying support from Trump when you donโ€™t actually have it could blow up fast.

โ€œIf you havenโ€™t earned it but portray as though you have, it could be the end of your campaign,โ€ he said. โ€œThatโ€™s if the President decides to take issue with it.โ€

In todayโ€™s GOP, one thing is clear: crossing Trump is risky โ€” but pretending heโ€™s on your side when he isnโ€™t could be even worse.

Former Republican Governor Unveils 2024 Endorsement

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

On Wednesday, former California Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he’s voting for Democrat nominee Kamala Harris instead of former President Donald Trump.

Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-American bodybuilder and actor known for his role in “The Terminator” served as the Republican governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

“Let me be honest with you: I donโ€™t like either party right now. My Republicans have forgotten the beauty of the free market, driven up deficits, and rejected election results. Democrats arenโ€™t any better at dealing with deficits, and I worry about their local policies hurting our cities with increased crime,” Schwarzenegger wrote. It is probably not a surprise that I hate politics more than ever, which, if you are a normal person who isnโ€™t addicted to this crap, you probably understand.”

“I want to tune out. But I canโ€™t,” Schwarzenegger continued. “Because rejecting the results of an election is as un-American as it gets. To someone like me who talks to people all over the world and still knows America is the shining city on a hill, calling America is a trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious.”

“And I will always be an American before I am a Republican,” he said. “Thatโ€™s why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Iโ€™m sharing it with all of you because I think there are a lot of you who feel like I do. You donโ€™t recognize our country. And you are right to be furious.”

Schwarzenegger turned his criticism toward Republican nominee Donald Trump.

“But a candidate who wonโ€™t respect your vote unless it is for him, a candidate who will send his followers to storm the Capitol while he watches with a Diet Coke, a candidate who has shown no ability to work to pass any policy besides a tax cut that helped his donors and other rich people like me but helped no one else else, a candidate who thinks Americans who disagree with him are the bigger enemies than China, Russia, or North Korea – that wonโ€™t solve our problems,” Schwarzenegger wrote. “It will just be four more years of bullsh– with no results that makes us angrier and angrier, more divided, and more hateful.”

“We need to close the door on this chapter of American history, and I know that former President Trump wonโ€™t do that,” Schwarzenegger wrote. “He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger.”

However, despite Schwarzenegger’s decision to back Trump, the Republican nominee scored the support of an American icon on Tuesday.

Legendary astronaut, Korean War hero and retired Brigadier General Buzz Aldrin has publicly endorsed Donald Trump for president, adding his voice to the support for the Republican nominee and former president. Known worldwide for his historic contributions to space exploration, particularly as the second man to walk on the moon, Aldrin expressed strong approval of Trumpโ€™s leadership.

Aldrin, born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. on Jan. 20, 1930, outlined his reasons for the endorsement in a press release, citing Trumpโ€™s vision for the nation and space exploration as aligned with his own. He emphasized Trumpโ€™s approach to American strength, innovation and national pride, qualities Aldrin agrees are essential for future progress.

In a press release, Aldrin elaborated on his reasons for supporting the Republican nominee and former president:

โ€œAmerica is a nation of bold ambition, hope, and energy. We are a nation of free thought, free association, and free movement. We are a nation that allows the best of humanity to emerge, and we strive for great things. Only in America, the nation that I love, believe in, and took an oath to defend, do you find our spirit, the vision to break boundaries, turn impossible feats into reality.

A half-Century ago, I was part of an important effort to put a human being on the Moon. It was an honor to serve my country in that capacity. I am proud of what we accomplished then. While it has been 55 years since Americans set foot on the Moon, the only nation ever to do so, that effort continues to inspire new generations of Americans โ€“ to press ahead, blaze new trails of understanding, and expand our presence in space, For All Mankind. I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of scientific understanding, exploration, and an enduring human presence in space. The importance of that mission, that calling, runs through every fiber of my being.

Kevin McCarthy Makes Key Concession in House Speaker Battle

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House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy delivers remarks at the 2021 Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Washington DC, December 1, 2021. USDA Forest Service photo by Tanya E. Flores.

Current House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy just made a key concession in what has become an uphill battle to become Speaker of the House once the GOP takes control of Congress on Jan. 3rd.

Six Republican sources familiar with internal discussions told CNN that McCarthy conceded to reducing the threshold that is required to force a floor vote on ousting the sitting speaker in an effort to win over holdouts.

One of the numbers that has come up in recent conversations between McCarthy and GOP lawmakers โ€“ and which has not been previously reported โ€“ is a five-person threshold, according to two of the Republican sources.

Currently, the majority of the House GOP is required to call for the so-called motion to vacate the speakerโ€™s chair. However, some conservatives such as Reps. Matt Gaetz (FL) and Ralph Norman (S.C.) are pushing for a single member to be able to call for such a vote, which they see as an important mechanism to hold the speaker accountable.

A five-person threshold, however, may be too low for the moderate wing of the party, some of whom have privately suggested they would be willing to agree on a 50-person threshold.

The compromise which McCarthy previously said he would not budge on could be key to unlocking the votes he needs to secure the speakership. But his willingness to negotiate on the issue also shows how desperate McCarthy is to seal the deal, even if it means giving away some of his power.

โ€œThe โ€˜devil is in the detailsโ€™ as far as threshold & other rule concessions,โ€ Norman said. โ€œUntil the details are spelled out, in writing and sealed with social media posts, people will not move on votes.โ€

Results: Congressional Republicans Hold Internal Leadership Vote

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Ted Eytan from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

On Wednesday, Republicans elected a fresh slate of leaders ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) took home the Senate GOP conference chair position, defeating Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) for the coveted spot.ย 

Cotton defeated the Iowa Republican in what was the only contested race for a GOP leadership position that was not to become the new leader of the conference. 

He will replace John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who will take over as No. 2 leader in the conference as whip after Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) was term-limited.ย 

Sen.ย Shelley Moore Capitoย (R-W.Va.) won an uncontested race to become the No. 4 Senate Republican, keeping her hold on a post in GOP leadership.

Capito served the previous two years as the No. 5 Senate Republican and was vice chairwoman of the Senate GOP Policy Committee. She will now be chairwoman of the committee.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) formally joined the Senate Republican leadership team on Wednesday, having won an uncontested bid to become the vice chairman of the Senate GOP Policy Committee. 

Lankford ran unchallenged for the position and will replace Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who moved up to become chairwoman of the committee. 

As vice chair, Lankford is chiefly tasked with keeping the minutes at the weekly Tuesday policy luncheon. 

Sen.ย Tim Scottย (R-S.C.) will take over as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and helm the campaign efforts for the 2026 cycle.ย 

Scott won the chairmanship on Wednesday and ran uncontested for the post. He replaces Sen.ย Steve Dainesย (R-Mont.), who steered the party to a potential 53-seat majority and four flipped seats during the 2024 cycle.ย 

โ€œI am honored and humbled by the confidence placed in me to protect and grow our Republican majority,โ€ Scott said. โ€œWith President Trump in the White House and Republican leadership in Congress, help is on the way for the American people. Donald J. Trump proved that when we fight everywhere with the TRUTH, we win. That is why we must secure a Republican Senate for all four years of the Trump administration, and that work starts today!โ€

Arizona Republican Launches Campaign For Governor

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By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Karrin Taylor Robson, CC BY-SA 2.0,

On Wednesday, Arizona Republican Karrin Taylor Robson launched her comeback gubernatorial bid.

Robson, a small business owner and lawyer, launched her campaign with a new ad centered on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and her desire to help take back her state from incumbent Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs. 

Robson lost her primary bid in 2022 to Trump-backed Republican nominee Kari Lake.

Robson scored early support from Trump less than two months ago during his visit to Arizona as president-elect.

“I thank President Trump for his strong endorsement and look forward to working with him to secure our border and make Arizona safe again,” Robson said in a statement first obtained by Fox News Digital. “Katie Hobbs has made it harder to live, work, and raise a family safely in this state. Like President Trump, I know how to create jobs. And like President Trump, I will not rest until our border is secure and Arizona families are safe,” she continued.

“Katie Hobbs and Joe Bidenโ€™s insane agenda has made life more expensive and dangerous,” Robson stated. “I will fight every day alongside President Trump for stronger borders, a stronger economy, and a stronger Arizona.

President Trump said Robson would have his support if she ran for governor while he was delivering remarks at Turning Point Action’s AmericaFest in December.

“Are you running for governor? I think so, Karrin, ’cause if you do youโ€™re gonna have my support, OK?” Trump said at the time.

Cook Political Report ranks the general election race as a “toss-up,” likely making it one of the most competitive races in the upcoming midterms.

The “Building A Better Arizona PAC” launched last month backing Robson, who formerly served on the Arizona Board of Regents. Former Arizona Republican Party Chairman Robert Graham and former Arizona Senate President Karen Fann created the group.

The primary is Aug. 4, 2026. It’s unclear if Hobbs will face a major challenger in the Democratic primary.

Robson will likely face off against another pro-Trump Republican during the primaries. Supporters of Rep. Andy Biggs hope that the president will shift gears and back his campaign instead, given his strong political agreements with him.

The congressman has already gained the endorsements of Reps. Lauren Boebert, Paul Gosar, and Eli Crane.

“Andy Biggs is the greatest thing since sliced bread,” Sen. Mike Lee( R-Utah) said on X. “Arizonans, do yourselves a big favor and elect this man as your next governor!” 

Trump Wins Key Battleground!

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Trump completes ‘Blue Wall’ sweep…

Decision Desk HQ has projected Donald Trump to be the winner of Michigan.

Michigan, part of the so-called “Blue Wall” states that includes Pennsylvaniaย and Wisconsin, was one of the most valuable targets for both candidates in this yearโ€™s race. Trump is projected to win the presidential election, and adds the pickup in Michigan to his total.

Long known as a Democratic stronghold, Michigan had not gone to a Republican candidate since the late former President George H.W. Bush won the state in 1988. Trump ended that streak in 2016, narrowly defeating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by less than one percentage point on his way to the White House.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Veteran Announces Bid For Gaetz Congressional Seat

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Fighter pilot and decorated combat veteran Jeff Witt announced Monday he is entering the race to fill former Rep.ย Matt Gaetz’sย seat representing Florida’s 1st congressional district.

Witt is currently serving as a policy advisor on the Trump-Vance Presidential Transition Team. 

“I have served my country in uniform for 14 years, and my dedication to service extends to the community in which my family and I live,” Witt told Fox News Digital. “I am excited to meet voters from all across the district in this campaign, and prove to them that they can trust me to be a leader in Congress who represents them with conviction, hard work, and integrity.” 

Witt told Fox News Digital that he will “fight to get inflation under control, secure our borders, and strengthen our military.”ย 

“I will listen to the needs of my constituents, and I will work on their behalf to make Floridaโ€™s 1st District the finest place in America for veterans, businesses, and families,” he said.ย 

Witt attended Harvard University for his undergraduate studies and was a Harvard football quarterback. He also received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.ย 

A 2024 Club for Growth fellow, Witt has already been endorsed by top former Trump administration officials, including former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie. 

“Jeff Witt is a patriot and a staunch supporter of President Trump and his America First agenda,” Wilkie told Fox News Digital. “As the former Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Trump, I know that Jeffโ€™s mission will always be to put warriors first. I am honored to give Jeff my full endorsement.” 

Wilkie told Fox News Digital that Witt “stands for the right thingsโ€”family and freedom.”  

Gaetz had represented Floridaโ€™s 1stย congressional district from January 2017 until earlier this month, when he resigned from his post upon receiving the nomination for attorney general.

President-elect Donald Trumpย also urged Florida state Sen. Randy Fine to run for Congress, pledging to endorse the Sunshine State lawmaker if he opts to throw his hat into the ring.

“I am hearing that America First Patriot Randy Fine is considering launching his Campaign for Congress in Florida’s 6th Congressional District!” Trump said in a Truth Social post. 

“Should he decide to enter this Race, Randy Fine has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, RANDY, RUN!” Trump urged.

Amanda Head: New Ballot Metrics Indicate Blowout In Midterms

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With only three weeks left until Election Day Democrats are officially in panic mode. The latest polling data shows that Republicans are set up to win big this year.

Watch Amanda break down the latest data below.