Sununu hit over Haley endorsement: ‘They’re both MAGA extremists’

The New Hampshire Democratic Party responded to reports that Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) plans to endorse former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for president on Tuesday and said both Sununu and Haley were “MAGA extremists.”

The party’s chairman, Ray Buckley, slammed both leaders in a statement, saying they were extreme because of strict abortion bans they both passed in their states and hitting them for opposing Democratic healthcare initiatives and government programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

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“No matter how much Nikki Haley or Chris Sununu try to spin Granite Staters, the reality is they’re both MAGA extremists who spent years cozying up to Donald Trump,” Buckley said. “Let’s be absolutely clear: There’s nothing moderate, reasonable, or electable about their agenda. Granite Staters know the stakes in 2024, and no endorsement is going to save Haley from the massive rejection she’ll face in New Hampshire next year.”

Buckley’s statement also accused Haley of wanting to take a strict abortion ban national and criticized her support of former New Hampshire Republican Senate nominee Don Bolduc, whom he said was part of a group of “election deniers.” Sununu also endorsed Bolduc.

Sununu’s endorsement is expected to take place at Haley’s town hall in Manchester, New Hampshire. The governor’s office would not confirm the endorsement to the Washington Examiner, but it did confirm Sununu would be in attendance.

The New Hampshire governor has been appearing at campaign events in his state for several Republican candidates, including Haley, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, as they court voters. Sununu ruled out endorsing Trump for the nomination last week despite his significant lead both nationally and in New Hampshire. But Sununu has maintained that Trump won’t be the Republican nominee.

Haley is polling in second place in New Hampshire with 18.7% of the vote, behind Trump’s 45.7%. Christie is polling in third place at 11.3%, according to RealClearPolitics.

Sununu said his decision on the endorsement would come down to who would be a “great leader” in the country, not just who could beat President Joe Biden in 2024. The governor said the three governors meet that requirement, referring to Haley, DeSantis, and Christie.

“The argument that these folks have to make is that they really are positioned to be America’s best opportunity to lead the country, lead the world, in what is undoubtedly going to be some very tough times ahead,” Sununu told the Washington Examiner last month.

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The Granite State’s primary will be the first primary of the 2024 election season but follows the caucuses in Iowa, the state that holds the first nominating conference. DeSantis won the coveted endorsement of Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) in Iowa last month, where he is polling second.

The Republican primary in New Hampshire will take place on Jan. 23, 2024.