New Hampshire’s Republican governor declared former President Donald Trump would lose a 2024 rematch between him and President Joe Biden.
Gov. Chris Sununu’s remarks were made Sunday during his appearance on the ABC News program “This Week.” Sununu may have denigrated the former president’s chances to enhance his standing against a political opponent. The Granite State governor hinted he has aspirations to challenge Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
“Unfortunately, at the end of the day, November of ’22 showed us that, right?” Sununu stated. “Trump is going to be seen as a very extreme candidate. The country is going to push back against it.”
“It can’t get done,” Sununu added. “He could get the nomination, but he can’t get it done.”
Sununu pooh-poohed polling by the Washington Post and ABC showing Trump ahead of Biden, with a 48% to 44% lead. An Emerson College poll also found Trump leading 44% to 41%.
“Definitely thinking about it, having those conversations,” Sununu responded to a question, “but at the end of the day, you’re going to have a lot of Republicans that get in that race. They’re all really good people; they’re really good candidates. You have Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo and Gov. DeSantis and a lot of folks who are going to get in.”
The New Hampshire governor definitely will have a lot of competition as the year progresses. Trump is the only nationally known Republican to officially declare his candidacy and file with the Federal Election Commission. A relatively obscure West Virginia businessman announced his candidacy last month as his pregnant wife fainted.
Others are waiting in the wings as they discuss it with family and supporters or line up campaign donors. It is unlikely Trump will run unopposed as he did during the 2020 general election.
Political observers expect Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence, to enter the race along with his former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo.
Analysts believe South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley may also toss their hats in the presidential ring. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is a possible presidential challenger also, although he does not have much of a following outside his home state.
A Republican governor with national recognition and appeal whom many Republicans have stated they hope runs in 2024 is Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
DeSantis has not announced any interest in challenging Trump after he won a blowout reelection to remain governor of the Sunshine State. He consistently polls high in national polls of likely Republican voters but he may decide his best time is after his second term as governor.
And now Sununu has put the party on notice his name should be added to the list of Republican presidential primary challengers.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.