CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Republican Chris Sununu, the son of a former governor and brother of a former U.S. Senator, has kicked off the 2016 gubernatorial contest in New Hampshire as the race’s first declared candidate.
Sununu, now serving his third term on the Executive Council, announced his intention to run for the state’s top job Monday at an annual GOP Labor Day picnic. Sununu is the son of former Gov. John H. Sununu and the brother of former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu. Asked whether he’s worried about voters being skeptical of political dynasties, he gives an answer similar to that of GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush, the son and brother of ex-presidents.
“I got into this race early to make sure that I have enough time and the voters have enough time to meet me,” he said. “I’m Chris. I’m not my brother, I’m not my father.”
Sununu, 40, has served on the council since 2010, representing the Seacoast area, Windham and Salem. The 5-member body approves all gubernatorial appointments and large state contracts. Sununu also owns the Waterville Valley Resort in the White Mountain National Forest. He lives in Newfields.
The governor’s race has so far been stalled by the ongoing state budget battle and uncertainty over whether Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan will seek a third term or run for U.S. Senate against Republican Kelly Ayotte.
Sununu said his five years on the council and his business experience drove his decision to run. His campaign will focus on the economy, education, efforts to battle heroin addiction and lower energy costs.
Over the next several months, Sununu said he’ll be talking directly to voters and business owners.
“Obviously with the presidential candidates here in New Hampshire, that takes a lot of the political oxygen out of the room,” he said. “All the more reason I have to get in now.”
The council’s recent vote to reject $639,000 in state funding for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England will likely play a central role in the race should Sununu be the GOP nominee. He voted to approve funding for Planned Parenthood in the past, but joined his fellow Republicans to reject the state contract last month, citing questions over Planned Parenthood’s fetal tissue donation program that arose after an anti-abortion group posted videos of Planned Parenthood officials dispassionately discussing the program.
The vote cuts about one third of Planned Parenthood’s public funding. Democrats are using the vote to paint Sununu as anti-women, but he is defending his vote.
“Planned Parenthood still has plenty of money to provide these services to these women,” he said. “Women aren’t being turned away at the doors.”
Others mentioned as potential candidates for the corner office include Democratic councilor Colin Van Ostern of Concord, Democratic businessman Mark Connolly of the Seacoast area, Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro and Republican Senate President Chuck Morse of Salem. GOP state Rep. Frank Edelblut of Wilton has said he is actively exploring a run.
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