With GOP Governor Chris Sununu in strong position for reelection, another top Democrat has decided to take a pass on challenging him in the state’s 2018 gubernatorial race. Despite being heavily courted by state Democrats to run for governor, Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky has announced that he will not run for the Granite State’s highest office, instead choosing to seek re-election. Volinsky’s decision comes as recent pollsshow Governor Sununu holding a strong 62 percent job approval rating, with even half of Democrats giving him positive marks. As Governor Sununu’s bipartisan leadership creates real results for the people of New Hampshire on a wide range of issues, from education to fighting drug addiction, Democrats are struggling to find serious candidates who will run for governor in 2018.
Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky will not run for governor in 2018 but will instead seek a second term on the five-member council, representing District 2.
The Concord Democrat shared a five-paragraph statement with WMUR, writing: ‘After careful consideration and many conversations over the past few months, I have decided not to run for governor in 2018 because the time is not right for me or my family. I will, however, proudly seek another term as a New Hampshire Executive Councilor representing District Two…’
Some members of the steering committee were among those who encouraged Volinsky to run for governor early in 2017…
But he said in an interview Tuesday, ‘There are a lot of practical implications here. I feel if I were running for governor, I’d have to do that full-time beginning in January or February…’
Gov. Chris Sununu, eight months into his term, is generally viewed as an early favorite to win a second term in office.
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