New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu not running for reelection after sitting out 2024 presidential race – as former Sen. Kelly Ayotte teases jumping into Granite State governor’s race

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced Wednesday that he is not seeking re-election in 2024.

The popular Republican governor was first elected in 2016 and will retire after four terms.

He previously said he would not run for the White House in 2024.

“Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state,” Sununu said in a series of tweets on Wednesday. “This was not an easy decision because I really like being governor.”

Shortly after the announcement by former New Hampshire Republican Senator Sununu. teased Kelly Ayotte that she could get into the race.

“Our next governor must be a tough and time-tested conservative who will fight to ensure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous and free,” Ayotte said in a tweet. “I look forward to announcing some big news in the coming days.”

Sununu looked like a bright spot for moderate Republicans as he flirted with jumping into the 2024 race.

He was ready to criticize former President Donald Trump – at Washington’s annual Gridiron Dinner in 2022, he made a memorable joke that the ex-president was “f***ing crazy.”

In a June op-ed for The Washington PostSununu took himself out of the running for the White House, but still urged Republicans that it was important for Trump to go.

“We should not be complacent and candidates should not enter this race to promote a vanity campaign, sell books or audition to serve as Donald Trump’s vice president,” he wrote.

“Since 2017, the national Republican Party has lost the vote up and down, in red states and in blue states, and in House, Senate and presidency elections,” he continued. “It will happen again, unless we Republicans undergo a course correction.”

Sununu pointed out that most polls show the former president well ahead of the other GOP hopefuls, warning Sununu that if Trump is the nominee, “the Republicans will lose again.”

Former Senator Kelly Ayotte, who served one term before being impeached by Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan, hinted she would run for governor of New Hampshire in 2024

“Just like we did in 2018, 2020 and 2022,” Trump said. “There’s no question about this and I’m not ready to let this happen.”

Sununu pledged to do everything he could as governor of New Hampshire to influence the state’s Republican primary, the first in the country.

“I intend to endorse, campaign and support the candidate I believe is most likely to win in November 2024,” Sununu said.

New Hampshire’s new term does not begin until January 2025, after the presidential election.

Ayotte, also a moderate, had her own issues with Trump.

She served one term in the U.S. Senate before being impeached in the 2016 election by Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan, the state’s former governor.

Ayotte kept her nose shut and lukewarmly supported former President Donald Trump’s first White House nomination, but withdrew her support after the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released just weeks before the November 2016 presidential election.

She said she would now include former Vice President Mike Pence.

While Ayotte has not confirmed she will jump into the race, former Senate President Chuck Morse, another Republican, has announced that he will run.

Education commissioner Frank Edleblut also suggested running.

On the Democratic side, Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington had already announced their candidacy.