Chris Sununu has just passed his presidential race. Now, he says he probably won’t run for governor of New Hampshire either.
The Republican told a regional sports radio show on Friday that he was “not leaning” on seeking a record fifth term – in part because he could “make a real paycheck” by returning to the private sector.
“Could I win again? Of course. But it’s [public] service, and somebody else has to kind of take over,” Sununu, who earns $146,522 a year as governor, said on “The Greg Hill Show” on WEEI. “I have kids to put through college and all that kind of stuff.”
One of the country’s most popular governors, Sununu, 48, has hinted for months that he might consider quitting the corner office. He recently told POLITICO that he plans to make his final decision this summer, after the state legislative session ends in late June.
“Knowing that I’m in my fourth term, probably out of here in about 18 months – I don’t know, I don’t think I’m going to run again,” Sununu said on WEEI. “But I’m really not sure.”
Sununu’s potential successors are not waiting for him to make up his mind. Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington is already running on the Democratic side and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig has formed an exploratory committee. On the Republican side, former Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte and former State Senate Speaker Chuck Morse laid the groundwork for potential campaigns should Sununu decide not to run again.
For the Democrats who failed to unseat Sununu, the Republican’s withdrawal would be the best case scenario.
“If Sununu is so eager to get a ‘real job,’ we encourage him not to waste another day or taxpayers’ money and to be honest with the New Hampshire families he no longer cares about. solve their problems as governor,” said Izzi, spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association. Levy said in a statement.