A ghost from New Hampshire’s political past took his first step Wednesday towards a return with the resurrection of his political action group.
Scott Brown, a Republican who completed Ted Kennedy’s U.S. Senate term after his death in 2010 turned to New Hampshire after losing to Elizabeth Warren in his re-election bid in 2012. He lost to Jeanne Shaheen in 2014.
After a serving as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa in the Trump Administration he became president, CEO and Dean of the Faculty of New England Law in Boston. He submitted his resignation on Wednesday as first reported by the Boston Globe.
“In the months ahead, I look forward to re-engaging in the political arena in support of
candidates and causes who share my vision of re-building the Republican Party and moving our country beyond the partisan gridlock – goals that were incompatible with my role as the leader of a non-partisan academic institution,” Brown wrote in his letter of resignation.
What’s Brown’s next move?
What does Brown’s revival of his PAC mean for New Hampshire politics? SNHU Civic Scholar Dean Spiliotes told Seacoast Current it depends on what he does with his PAC’s money.
“The language we’re hearing from him is about working in a bipartisan fashion and he supported a bipartisan committee on January 6. That’s not necessarily him coming into New Hampshire and trying to out Trump the other folks,” Spiliotes said.
Brown still has a home in Rye and would consider a run for office after 2022, a source told WMUR. It’s not clear if he will endorse any candidates including for the First Congressional District which includes Rye.
The primary will likely include two candidates with close ties to the Trump Administration. Karoline Leavitt, 23 has already announced and plays up her role in the Trump White House press office and her MAGA credentials. Matt Mowers is expected to make his second run for the seat official after Labor Day.
However they may not welcome his endorsement after Brown told CNN that Trump “bears responsibility” for the January 6 insurrection at the Capital.
“I think his presidency was diminished as a result of this, and I think he’s paying a price. He’s been impeached twice. He was impeached for those actions,” Brown said.
A possible run for office
As far as a political run Spiliotes thinks he might want to take a run for governor especially since he’s lost two U.S. Senate elections.
“I think there are a number of people who are waiting to see what happens with the GOP once it gets past the current fixation with Trump and a Trump-iike approach to politics. Does he see himself as a counter balance force in the GOP? Is he going to try and have it both ways a little like Gov. Chris Sununu,” Spiliotes said.
It’s also not a sure thing his political future is in New Hampshire.
“My guess is that whatever he does will be more likely focused on New Hampshire than Massachusetts but In theory he could play in the region if he has enough money to gift candidates,” Spiliotes said.
He expects Brown will continue to host his barbeques for any major national Republican player especially in the 2024 presidential race.
“I think it’s an opportunity to wield potentially a little political power,” Spiliotes said.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH
LOOK: Here is the richest town in each state
Just saying the names of these towns immediately conjures up images of grand mansions, luxury cars, and ritzy restaurants. Read on to see which town in your home state took the title of the richest location and which place had the highest median income in the country. Who knows—your hometown might even be on this list.
