“As somebody that convinced Joe Manchin to come, as somebody who was a chief executive in business, was governor, it is sometimes hard to make the case,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), a former Virginia governor. He added that any former governor who says being a senator is better “might not be telling you the truth.”

As one of 100 senators it takes years for lawmakers to accrue the power and seniority needed to make their mark. What’s more, governors can more easily avoid opining on federal policy or national politicians such as former President Donald Trump or Biden, instead focusing on state issues and keeping their head down like Sununu. And while governors can live at home, senators have to schlep to D.C. every week.

“Everybody seems to like being governor more than they like the idea of being senator. And I think that’s probably validated by the former governors who are in the Senate,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the GOP whip, who is undecided on running for another six-year term…

The pitch for GOP candidates is even trickier, given Biden will be in office for at least two more years even if Republicans take back the Senate majority. GOP Senate primaries will, at one point or another, turn into a referendum on loyalty to Trump, who monitors races closely. Scott voted for Biden and Sununu said Trump “contributed to the insurrection” at the Capitol on Jan. 6.