Photo: Getty Images
Speculation about Governor Sununu running for a fifth two-year term will continue.
“Once we get through this legislative session, this summer, I’ll decide. I love the job. It’s really hard. There are lots of other opportunities. It’s service. It’s not a career. Maybe it’s time for someone else to step in and see what they can do.”
In an interview with WGIR’s Chris Ryan, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu discusses his reasons for not running for president in 2024; hints at which presidential candidate might get his endorsement; leaves the door open for an historic run for a fifth term as governor; and gives his enthusiastic support for the proposed budget vote.
Governor Sununu names several factors which affected his decision to not run for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. He believes that there was a path to his winning the nomination.
To prove the viability of his candidacy, the Governor would need to spend months in Iowa trying to get support from GOP voters, who historically do not participate in the caucus process.
With a victory in Iowa, the Sununu campaign would have momentum for the New Hampshire First in the Nation Primary; and, if he won the primary in his home state, he would then springboard into the lead.
For Governor Sununu, being a presidential candidate, had too many drawbacks which would prevent him from doing what he can to save the Republican party.
“As a candidate, you have to do and say certain things. I’d have to spend most of my time in Iowa, not around the country. I like going around the country getting new Republicans and independents back on the team.”
With Donald Trump leading in the polls against a crowded Republican field, Governor Sununu is convinced that the former President must be stopped.
“We’re going to lose more senate seats. We’re going to lose more governorships with Trump at the top of the ticket. We need to be future and forward looking and not relitigating the past.”
As a noncandidate, Governor Sununu believes that he can better serve the GOP.
“I’ll keep being on that national stage and working, hopefully, for the party getting bigger.”
Now that he is no longer a candidate, the person who would get Chris Sununu’s endorsement must meet these criteria: can they win in November 2024; how well they handle retail politics and how well do they relate with the voters; and do they have the right policy positions.
Governor Sununu says that he would consider endorsing Governor Ron DeSantis or any candidate who could beat Biden, but the Governor wants to see how the various candidates do on the campaign trail first.
Speculation about Governor Sununu running for a fifth two-year term will continue.
“Once we get through this legislative session, this summer, I’ll decide. I love the job. It’s really hard. There are lots of other opportunities. It’s service. It’s not a career. Maybe it’s time for someone else to step in and see what they can do.”
The main concern for the Governor is passing by June 30, the $15 billion budget which gives significant 12% salary increases to state workers and increases Medicaid payments. He encourages voters to call their state senators and representatives to urge them to vote for the budget.