Ensign hopes for pro-Sununu 527s

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (R-NV) said he hopes Republican 527s will help U.S. Sen. John Sununu's campaign.

"We're hoping, we obviously can't ask them but we're hoping that 527s come out on the Republican side and come out and help John as well to try and equalize or diminish what the Democrat 527s are going to do," Ensign said in a conference call with reporters.

527s are unregulated political groups that attempt to influence elections.

Earlier this week, The Concord Monitor reported that Republican consultant David Carney was contemplating organizing a pro-Sununu 527.

"Although it's a good idea - I may do it - I've never had a discussion with a single person about it," Carney told The Monitor.

Ensign said the NRSC will devote resources to the New Hampshire race.

"We know we're going to have to spend a lot of money in that state and I know that Chuck Schumer is going to spend a lot of money up in that state."

He added, "The good thing is that Jeanne Shaheen has a great record to run against. John Sununu is one of the great political minds of any Senator for sure."