Scott Brown is a former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2010-2013) and former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017-2020) under President Trump. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he brings military service (nearly 40 years in uniform) and a populist, Trump-aligned political brand. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the New Hampshire Senate seat in 2014, losing to incumbent Jeanne Shaheen. Brown entered the 2026 race in June 2025 as the first major Republican candidate, positioning himself as a pragmatic conservative and Trump supporter. Despite support from NRSC early on, he has been eclipsed by Sununu's later entry and Trump's subsequent endorsement of Sununu. Brown is determined to stay in the race despite pressure and polling disadvantages.
Scott Brown was born on September 12, 1959, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and claimed deep family roots going back to American Revolution. He served nearly 40 years in the U.S. military. Brown gained national prominence with a shocking 2010 special election victory for Ted Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat, becoming a tea party favorite. He served as Massachusetts senator from January 2010 to January 2013. He lost his reelection bid to Democrat Elizabeth Warren in 2012. Brown then moved to New Hampshire, where he ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2014, again losing to Shaheen. After his 2014 defeat, he served as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa from 2017 to 2020 under President Trump. Between and after these campaigns, he briefly served as dean of New England Law in Boston and worked as a political commentator and analyst.
Attributes problems to Biden/Harris administration; supports Trump economic policies
Campaign message: 'Chris Pappas has stood with Joe Biden as he opened the border, drove up the cost of everything and made life just simply unaffordable.'
Voting History: As Massachusetts senator, supported Republicans on fiscal and tax issues; limited Senate record as served only 2010-2013.
Opposes ACA provisions; supports market-based healthcare reform
Pappas campaign claims Brown 'supports efforts to strip away health care coverage from tens of thousands of Granite Staters.' Brown's 2013 op-ed on FoxNews.com criticized Obamacare's effects on New Hampshire.
Voting History: Wrote op-ed criticizing ACA effects; limited voting record on healthcare as brief senator.
Supports Trump's trade policies
Pappas campaign attacks Brown for backing 'President Trump's reckless tariffs that New Hampshire small businesses are speaking out against every single day.'
Voting History: Limited voting record; as ambassador represented Trump administration position on trade.
Brown's Senate voting record is limited as he served only January 2010-January 2013 (special election to fill Ted Kennedy's term, then lost reelection to Elizabeth Warren). As Massachusetts senator, he maintained conservative voting record typical of northeastern Republicans. Did not serve in Congress beyond Senate. Served as Trump's ambassador 2017-2020, representing administration policies.
Campaign messaging emphasizes military background, personal connection to New Hampshire (Portsmouth roots), and Trump-aligned populism. More combative tone than Sununu's pragmatist messaging; focuses on blaming Biden/Harris for economic problems.
Brown is a 'never Trump, corporate lobbyist' and political carpetbagger; Sununu attacked his lobbying work and outsider status.
Sununu's response to Brown's primary challenge in 2026; attempted to define Brown as establishment figure.
Brown 'stands with corporate special interests, supports efforts to strip away health care coverage from tens of thousands of Granite Staters, and backs President Trump's reckless tariffs.' Later stated 'While Scott Brown looks for yet another opportunity to do Wall Street's bidding and blindly support President Trump and his agenda, I'll always put New Hampshire first.'
Pappas campaign response to Brown's announcement in June 2025; defines Brown as corporate-aligned and reckless.
Called Brown's candidacy an 'embarrassing recruitment failure' for Republicans and noted Granite Staters 'have already rejected' him (2014 loss).
Democratic national committee response to Brown's June 2025 announcement.