Aaaand there you have it: After flying to Washington, D.C., last month to meet with Senate Republican campaign chief Tim Scott about a potential 2026 run for the Senate seat held by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who is retiring, former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has officially decided that he will not throw his hat in the ring. That makes flipping his blue-leaning state much tougher for Senate Republicans in the next midterm cycle.

“It’s not for me. I talked to the White House this morning,” Sununu said in New Hampshire earlier today. “I talked to Tim Scott. Thanked him for all their support and confidence. But I don’t have to be the candidate, and I’m not going to be the candidate.”