Governor Sununu says about a possible opponent, “I’m actually a fan of Governor Lynch. We don’t agree on a whole lot in terms of policy…He was a good governor…I don’t know if he’s going to run, but we’ll see.”
Lynch has previously said he's not interested in running.
In an interview with WGIR’s Chris Ryan, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu discusses the state’s preparedness for the snowstorm which is headed for the Granite State this weekend; talks about the COVID test kits which will be available at New Hampshire State Liquor Stores; predicts when the Omicron variant will run its course; lays out plans for dealing with the effects of COVID on our healthcare and mental health systems; addresses the communication problems which have arisen between parents and schools due to COVID policies; and considers his potential opponents for governor in 2022, including former Governor John Lynch.
Governor Sununu expects that, despite some COVID related labor issues, New Hampshire will be ready to deal with the big snowstorm which is expected to hit us this Saturday.
A program which will make COVID test kits available at all 75 New Hampshire State Liquor Stores was explained by the Governor. The state is buying the kits for about $13 and reselling them at cost.
Governor Sununu jokingly said, “Go in. Grab a bottle of wine. Grab a COVID test. It’s all very New Hampshire. It really is. Go next door and get some fireworks while you’re at it.”
When he was asked to predict when we might be finished with the Omicron variant of COVID, Governor Sununu is holding with his original prediction of mid-February.
The Governor discussed at length what has been done to deal with the long-term effects of the COVID pandemic, such as the stress on our healthcare system and our healthcare workers; the need to bolster the state’s mental health capabilities.
To ease the strain on our healthcare workers and to deal with anticipated needs due to the aging of New Hampshire’s population, the state has expanded nursing programs at UNH and at our community colleges and fast tracked the licensing process.
Governor Sununu believes that the purchase of psychiatric facilities like Hampstead Hospital, will help with the anticipated mental health problems attributed to the COVID pandemic. New Hampshire has beefed up the mental health system by bringing in out of state providers and coordinating programs with our schools.
In discussing the occasionally heated disputes between school officials and parents, Governor Sununu believes that it can be attributed to extreme politicization which exists today. The Governor advises people to take a beat and to realize that not everyone is going to agree with you and that you’re not likely to get everything that you want.
With primary day only six months away and election day about eight months away, no Democrat or Republican challenger has announced their candidacy.
In the final segment of the interview, Governor Sununu said that he’s been too busy doing his job to give much time or thought to his reelection campaign. He knows that there will be a Democrat opponent, and he responds to rumors that former Governor John Lynch might make a run.
“I’m actually a fan of Governor Lynch. We don’t agree on a whole lot in terms of policy. There are a few things here and there… He’s a tremendous guy. He was a good governor…I don’t know if he’s going to run, but we’ll see.”