Chris Sununu

Chris Sununu
Office of Governor Christopher T. Sununu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Christopher T. Sununu
Birth date	5 November 1974
Birth place	Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
Residence	Concord, New Hampshire
Office	82nd Governor of New Hampshire
Term start	January 5, 2017
Term end	January 4, 2023
Predecessor	Margaret Hassan
Successor	Chris Sununu
Party	Republican Party
Alma mater	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (School of Engineering)
Spouse	Joanne McEachern
Parents	John H. Sununu and Virginia Cora

Chris Sununu Christopher T. Sununu is an American politician and businessman who served as the 82nd Governor of New Hampshire from 2017 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he is part of the Sununu political family that has been active in New England politics for decades. Before entering statewide elected office he worked in engineering, energy, and municipal government.

Early life and education

Born in Manchester, New Hampshire, he is the son of John H. Sununu, who served as Governor of New Hampshire and later as White House Chief of Staff under George H. W. Bush, and Virginia Cora. His family includes siblings active in public life, notably John E. Sununu, a former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, and Chris Sununu's brothers who have held offices and positions in New England civic life. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and earned a degree in engineering from the MIT, where he studied within the MIT School of Engineering and took coursework tied to energy systems influenced by programs related to U.S. Department of Energy research and NREL collaborations.

Business and private sector career

Following his education at MIT, he worked in the private sector in roles connected to real estate development and renewable energy projects, engaging with contractors, investors, and municipal planning boards. He served on boards and advisory panels that interfaced with organizations such as the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority and local chambers like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. His tenure in private industry included leadership at a family-owned construction and development firm where he oversaw operations, permitting interactions with authorities in Hillsborough County and partnerships with regional utilities like Eversource Energy and Unitil Corporation. He also engaged with civic institutions including the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority and regional nonprofit initiatives similar to those supported by The Nature Conservancy in New England.

Political career

He began his political career at the municipal level, serving on the Exeter Board of Selectmen and later as Exeter's Mayor equivalent in local governance structures, working alongside elected officials in nearby municipalities and county leaders. He announced a run for statewide office and successfully campaigned within the Republican Party apparatus in New Hampshire, engaging with national groups such as the Republican Governors Association and party committees tied to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. During his campaigns he faced primary and general election opponents with connections to figures from Democratic Party politics including activists aligned with Bernie Sanders and lawmakers from the New Hampshire House of Representatives. His political network included interactions with governors from neighboring states such as Paul LePage, Charlie Baker, and Maine leadership.

Governorship of New Hampshire

Elected Governor in 2016, he assumed office on January 5, 2017, succeeding a predecessor from the Democratic Party and served three two-year terms before stepping down in 2023. As governor he worked with the New Hampshire General Court—composed of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and New Hampshire Senate—on budgets, vetoes, and policy initiatives. He collaborated with federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during public health emergencies and coordinated with regional governors through forums like the National Governors Association and initiatives with New England Governors' Conference. His administration addressed issues intersecting with agencies such as the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Political positions and policy initiatives

He pursued a mix of fiscal and regulatory policies often emphasizing tax positions and business climate reforms. On energy and environment he supported measures involving hydropower and regional transmission projects linking to entities such as ISO New England and engaged in debates with advocates from Environmental Defense Fund-aligned groups and conservation organizations like Appalachian Mountain Club. He signed or promoted legislation affecting healthcare funding and Medicaid administration that required negotiation with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and state healthcare stakeholders including hospitals like Easterseals New Hampshire and systems similar to Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center. During the COVID-19 pandemic he balanced public health directives with economic reopening discussions, coordinating with federal bodies including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and collaborating with neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. He also took positions on criminal justice reforms, public safety measures involving state police organizations like the New Hampshire State Police, and education funding debates with the New Hampshire Department of Education and local school districts influenced by groups such as the National Education Association affiliates.

Personal life and family

He is married to Joanne McEachern and they have three children. He is a member of the prominent Sununu family, which includes his father John H. Sununu and his brother John E. Sununu, and has connections through marriage and civic participation to families active in New Hampshire civic institutions and higher education communities including University of New Hampshire stakeholders and philanthropic organizations like New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. He participates in regional outdoor activities common to New England culture, including recreation in the White Mountain National Forest and events hosted by groups such as the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Category:Governors of New Hampshire Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni Category:New Hampshire Republicans