New Hampshire’s GOP primary features two familiar names from the past, and voters are fine with that

(AP) — It’s been 24 years since a campaign commercial opened with a voter declaring “John Sununu represents the future.” His current opponent, Scott Brown, is a grandfather who says that role gives him an edge. Bucking national trends, the top candidates in New Hampshire’s eight-person Republican primary for U.S. Senate are both former senators whose heydays long predate the Trump era.

While voters elsewhere have embraced a decidedly anti-establishment sentiment this campaign season, New Hampshire Republican voters appear content with their choices and are poised to pick a familiar name over a fresh face on Tuesday. Paul Martino, 57, of North Hampton, said he’s supporting Sununu because he seems smart, honest and civic-minded and called him “a good guy for this moment.” “We need more people who try to find commonalities we can work off of versus differences we can use to be divisive,” he said. The Republicans’ back-to-the-future approach will provide a stark contrast in November with Democrats, whose primary includes both younger and progressive candidates.

GOP voters are comfortable with their comeback candidates Sununu and Brown were among 27 former members of Congress who mounted comeback campaigns this year. Only nine have advanced to the general election, including several who have been out of office just for the last two years. Sununu, who will turn 62 this coming week, served three terms in the U.S.

House and one in the Senate before being ousted in 2008 by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who is retiring after three terms. He hasn’t been on a ballot in 18 years — long enough for some babies born during his final year in office to reach voting age. But just as being the son of a former governor most likely eased his entry into politics, Sununu is now benefiting from the popularity of his younger brother, Chris, whose eight years as governor ended last year.

When Sununu announced his campaign in October, Fox News broadcast a story misidentifying him as Chris, displayed multiple photos of his brother and combined their resumes. In June, a debate moderator introduced him as Chris. And late last month, a supporter at the Coos County Republican Committee BBQ snapped a selfie with him and told a reporter “I liked him as our governor.” “Oh, there’s so many of them!” Sudie Francouer, 82, said after being informed of her mix-up.