New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu Will Not Run for President: ‘Stakes Are Too High for a Crowded Field’

New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu has opted not to enter the 2024 presidential primary, arguing in a Monday op-ed that a crowded field will ultimately benefit former president Trump, whose nomination Sununu views as the worst case scenario for the Republican party and the country.

Writing in the Washington Post, the four-term Republican governor explicitly noted that every candidate who enters the race makes it likelier Trump will be the nominee.

“Our party is on a collision course toward electoral irrelevance without significant corrective action. The stakes are too high for a crowded field to hand the nomination to a candidate who earns just 35 percent of the vote, and I will help ensure this does not happen,” wrote Sununu. “We must not be complacent, and candidates should not get into this race to further a vanity campaign, to sell books, or to audition to serve as Donald Trump’s vice president.”

The New Hampshire governor believes he can be much more influential as an observer of the race who is unafraid to speak candidly about the issues and candidates. Sununu explained he plans to endorse and campaign for the candidate he believes has the best chance of winning in November. He will attempt to sway the nation’s first primary in his home state to that person’s column.

According to Sununu, Trump failed to secure the border and was reckless on spending. He is facing numerous investigations and peddles “the conspiracy theory that he won the 2020 election, repelling independents,” Sununu explained.

The governor also had criticism for any candidate who is knee-deep in the culture wars. “We must abandon the issues that are solely made for social media headlines, such as banning books or issuing curriculum fiats to local school districts hundreds of miles away from state capitals,” argued Sununu.

For him, the classic conservative principles of individual liberty, low taxes, and local control are of the utmost importance.

Without sacrificing these principles, Sununu called for Republicans to pay careful attention to independents, young voters, and suburban moms. “Republicans must offer an optimistic blueprint to prioritize issues that connect with these voters — addressing the homelessness crisis, imposing fiscal responsibility, reducing inflation, securing our borders, becoming energy independent — all while championing their personal freedoms,” Sununu wrote.

The news comes shortly after Mike Pence officially entered the presidential race, filing Federal Election Commission paperwork. Aside from Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, and South Carolina senator Tim Scott are in the race. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum are expected to enter shortly.

“I will have more credibility speaking out against Trump as a non-candidate to help move the conversation toward the future I believe the Republican Party should embrace,” Sununu wrote.