Years after razor-thin loss, former GOP senator reportedly eyes bid to lead New Hampshire

While New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu hasn’t yet announced if he’ll depart from his job as leader of this competitive state, reporter Paul Steinhauser takes a look at potential contenders who could campaign to succeed their fellow Republican. Before we dive in, though, we’ll note that, while Sununu sounds unlikely to seek what would be a historic fifth two-year term, he could still run for re-election in 2024 even if his White House flirtations go bust and render all of this chatter moot.

Perhaps the most familiar name in Steinhauser’s story belongs to former Sen. Kelly Ayotte, whom he reports “has been talking with people about running for governor.” Ayotte was last on the ballot in 2016 when she lost re-election to then-Gov. Maggie Hassan in a 48.0-47.8 squeaker, a contrast that took place as Sununu was reclaiming the governor’s office for the GOP after 12 years of Democratic control. The former senator was talked about as a potential candidate for governor in both 2019 and 2021 in the event that Sununu ran for the Senate, but the incumbent opted to stay put.