NEWFIELDS, N.H. – After eight years in office, New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu is in his final weeks at the helm of New England’s only battleground state.
Sununu announced last year that he would not seek an unprecedented fifth two-year term as governor. New Hampshire and Vermont are the only two states in the nation that hold gubernatorial elections every two years.
Moreover, his approval rating remains firmly in positive territory, and he will leave office in good shape.
So what’s next for Sununu, 50, who was the nation’s youngest governor when he was first elected eight years ago?
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On July 11, 2024, in Newfield, New Hampshire, Republican Governor Chris Sununu was interviewed by Fox News Digital. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
“I’m excited to go back to the private sector. I like business, I like transactional procurement,” the governor said in an interview on Fox News Digital. “I don’t know exactly what the private sector will bring, but I think it’s going to be pretty exciting.”
New Hampshire, a perennially swing state, is likely to see a fierce Senate race in 2026, when former governor and longtime Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen is up for re-election. And Sununu is likely to be invited by national Republicans to run for the Senate.
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But Sununu reiterated what he told Fox News Digital in July.
“I definitely rule out running for the Senate in 2026. Yeah, it’s definitely not on my dance card,” he said.
But the governor said Republicans “will have good candidates. There’s no question about that. There might be a few different people interested in running, which I think would be great.” ) were all Democrats.” I think the people of the state want a different voice and want some change. ”
Sununu has been one of the nation’s best-known governors in recent years thanks to regular appearances on Sunday talk shows and cable news networks, but before announcing a year and a half ago that he would not seek a white candidate. He was considering winning the Republican presidential nomination. Housing in 2024.
Republican Governor Chris Sununu speaks during a press conference at the State Capitol on November 15, 2023 in Concord, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Asked if he might run again in the future, the governor said, “I’m not thinking about that at all. I’m excited about the private sector. And that’s it…that’s on my windshield. ” he said.
But he didn’t close the door completely, adding: “We’ll see what political chapters are written going forward.”
Sununu will be replaced by Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte, a fellow Republican and former state attorney general and former state senator.
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The governor was the top campaign and broadcast surrogate for Ayotte, who has vowed to continue the Sununu policy.
Asked if Ayotte’s nearly 9.5-point victory over former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, was a victory for her, Sununu said, “It was a victory for New Hampshire.” I answered.
Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte and Governor Chris Sununu meet at the State Capitol in Concord on November 7, 2024. (New Hampshire Governor’s Office)
“Kelly will be a phenomenal person. She has experience as attorney general and as a U.S. senator. She understands how the system works,” Sununu said. did. “Our transition has already been incredibly smooth, with all aspects of government moving forward, how we build great teams, and most importantly… what’s happening in our communities. Opportunities to listen to animals are discussed almost daily.”
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Asked if he would give advice to his successor, Sununu said, “She’ll have my cell phone number. I don’t know if she’ll need it. “I think she will,” he said. My mobile number is always available. ”
Sununu pointed to John Lynch and current Sen. Sununu said his predecessor, Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, and others shared cell phone numbers. “We want New Hampshire to succeed, so it’s not just me helping Kelly. It’s always a team effort. She has many people she can turn to for advice when she needs it,” he said. There will be people,” he said. ”
