John Sununu first ran for public office in 1996, winning election in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District and serving three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2002, John defeated both an incumbent Senator and an incumbent Governor to become the youngest member of the United States Senate.

At the age of 42, John has already distinguished himself as an innovative legislator, bringing an extensive background in science, engineering, and small business to his work in Washington. He is the 61st person to serve New Hampshire as a Senator and occupies the Senate seat held by such distinguished individuals as Nicholas Gilman, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and Styles Bridges, one of New Hampshire’s longest-serving Senators and Minority Leader of the Senate in 1952.

During his six years in the House of Representatives, John rose to become Vice-Chairman of the Budget Committee, taking a leading role in shaping the nation’s annual budget priorities. He also served on the House Appropriations Committee and worked to pass legislation protecting New Hampshire’s Lamprey River, supporting the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and strengthening funding for special education.

In the Senate, John’s key assignments include the Commerce Committee, the Banking and Housing Committee, and the Foreign Relations Committee. John also serves on the Joint Economic Committee and is Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Terrorism. He was nominated by President Bush to serve as one of two Congressional Members in the United States delegation to the 59th General Assembly of the United Nations.

John Sununu grew up in Salem, New Hampshire and is one of eight children. He was first introduced to public service at a young age when his mother served as chairman of the local school board. John attended public schools, graduated from Salem High School, and received Bachelors and Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. John has also earned a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

John and his wife Kitty have three children.