Governor Sununu has double-tapped his promise to veto the congressional redistricting map passed by the Republican majority Legislature. Why? He likes them the way they are (Democrats have won both repeatedly for years).
As recently as last week, Sununu had publicly urged the state Senate to make amendments to a House-passed map that would have created one solidly Democratic district and one that would likely elect a Republican. But the Senate defeated proposed amendments to the map, defying Sununu’s wishes.
Sununu said he would not sign the legislature’s proposal.
“The proposed Congressional redistricting map is not in the best interest of New Hampshire and I will veto it as soon as it reaches my desk. The citizens of this state are counting on us to do better,” Sununu said in a statement Thursday.
I can see why he might not want lines drawn to sacrifice CD2, hoping that Republicans will reclaim CD1. But here’s the thing. While he’s been more or less successful at the state and local level, his leadership and manipulation of the NHGOP will continue to produce failure in both Congressional districts and increasingly in State Senate Districts.
The “we finally got ourselves a Republican governor in NH” honeymoon ended years ago. His polling and approval have eroded among members of his party because he’s going off the rails.
His COVID executive orders violated people’s constitutional rights. He’ll protect the right to kill pre-born “women” but not her right to employment if she doesn’t want an experimental chemical injection.
There was that whole “armed intruder on my lawn” bullsh!t – followed by canceling his outdoor re-inauguration. He won’t fight for NH residents’ voter residency rights, and he’s terrible on the so-called social issues.
He was a little bit deep state when we elected him. He’s nothing but, these days. And no strong candidate will run against him because his swamp-rat Dad will bring party hellfire down on them even if they win a primary. Better a Dem than the wrong Republican is their motto.
They are not team players where it matters – ask Don Bolduc or Steve Negron. The Sununu’s could have easily pulled in big donors to get them much-needed radio and TV time to help them reach more voters but nope, not the right kind of Republican.
As a result, we’ve had another few years of Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Ann Kuster, and Chris Pappas – who never should have had a shot at winning in the first place.
The Granite State’s rhetorical “five families” rule the Republican party and poison whoever we manage to get into leadership that might be decent. No offense Steve, but the NHGOP is a sh!twagon again, and everyone from grassroots groups, activists, even Republican County committees can see it.
And Sununu’s toadies are to blame. Victors of the pissing contest that will cost us seats again.
Republicans in the Legislature tried to make the state genuinely purple (I doubt it will ever be Red again).
One of each member of congress. It’s never a guarantee, but let’s call it an opportunity for balance or equity because CD2 is polluted by Vermont hippies, and that will get worse. You can’t win it. Not without a huge investment, a lot of GOTV, and a serious negative ad campaign with a big budget.
The redistricting plan Republicans approved was probably the best chance to secure one district.
But Sununu will veto that plan, knowing this legislature will never have the votes to override it.
And as bad as the economics are or will be and as much of a disaster as Joe Biden has been, you’ll still lose both seats to Democrats in November because what you believe is garbage, and everyone outside of your close circle of sycophants knows that.
