New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) shocked national Republicans Tuesday by publicly rejecting entreaties to challenge Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) in next year’s midterm elections, delivering a setback to the GOP’s chances of putting another potentially competitive race on the board at a time when Republicans feel momentum at their back.
In a press conference at the state capital in Concord, announced with just a few hours’ notice, Sununu said he would run for a fourth two-year term as governor.
“My responsibility is not to the gridlock and politics of Washington, it’s for the citizens of New Hampshire,” Sununu told reporters. “I’d be honored to spend a few more years doing what I love doing with the people that I love.”
Sununu’s comments took Republicans by surprise: He said he had not informed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell or National Senatorial Campaign Committee chairman Rick Scott (R-Fla.) of his decision, a fact confirmed by sources close to both leaders in Washington.
“As of this morning, I don’t think any high-level folks knew for 100 percent sure what he was doing,” one high-level Washington Republican told The Hill. “It was a very well-kept secret.”
Behind the scenes, Sununu’s advisers kept national Republicans at arm’s length. The governor asked national Republicans for space to consider his decision, several sources told The Hill.
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