Chris Sununu in 2016 NH Governor's race
On Families & Children:
More home-care funding ultimately lowers the cost of care
Q: What would you do to improve access to respite care so that more family caregivers can take a break from their caregiving duties & continue their caregiving responsibilities?Chris Sununu: I believe increases in home-care funding ultimately lowers
the cost of care. We need to recruit & retain caregivers so that we have the resources necessary to support the care that's required. I'll work to retain skilled nurses & caregivers in NH after graduation, ensuring we have the resources to provide
family caregivers breaks from their duties. Incentivizing recent graduates to enter the field of respite care will improve access, increase competition & lower costs. Family caregivers should have access to funding, which provides a familiar level of
comfort for seniors who may prefer a family member's caregiving.
Colin Van Ostern: I support New Hampshire's policy of including respite care as a covered benefit under Medicaid and would oppose any attempts by the legislature to eliminate funding.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Social Security:
Flexible retirement savings, and ensure Soc. Sec. solvency
Q: What would you do to reverse the trend of under saving for retirement?Christopher T. Sununu: In order to encourage more saving, we need to provide financial flexibility through new and innovative programs that will boost & encourage savings.
From reducing energy bills to lowering tax burdens, my campaign has centered on giving individuals the freedom to save more. Upward economic mobility becomes a reality when people have a wide range of incentives to save their hard-earned dollars.
We should look at all possibilities, and one option is to examine tax-free savings plans, specifically, 529 plans for education. Furthermore, it is critical that we ensure Social Security's solvency, now and into the future.
Colin Van Ostern: The most effective thing a governor can do to enhance retirement security is to help businesses thrive and create good jobs so that people are in a position to save for their retirement.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Immigration:
Don't block all immigration; do block 10,000 Syrian refugees
Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas criticized Sununu, saying his rhetoric on immigration and other issues doesn't match his actions.
Asked whether immigration is vital to the state's economy and workforce, Sununu said electing a governor who understands business is more important and touted his opposition to
President Barack Obama's plan to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to the United States.
Gatsas then criticized Sununu for also voting against a plan to temporarily halt immigration to Manchester several years ago, but Sununu said that vote had nothing to do with Obama's plan.
Source: The Herald on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial debate
Sep 6, 2016
On Energy & Oil:
Increase availability of baseload power; reduce energy rates
On energy: "The best way to reduce our energy rates is by increasing the availability of baseload power throughout New England. Our limited power supply into the grid is not sustainable and
keeps rates too high for manufacturing companies to succeed. All options for increasing power supply must be brought to the table but implemented with New Hampshire's best interests."
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2016
On Crime:
Expedite critical resources to combat crime
This morning, 18 respected members of New Hampshire's law enforcement community joined together in support of Chris Sununu for Governor. The coalition highlights Sununu's broad support from New Hampshire's public safety officials: "As
New Hampshire faces a debilitating drug crisis, it has never been clearer the strong support we need from a governor who will work to expedite the critical resources that enable us to quickly and safely combat crime and
reduce the scourge of drugs," said a police spokesperson. "As governor, Chris Sununu will make support for law enforcement one of his top priorities."Chris Sununu said of the announcement, "In New Hampshire, we are proud to have one of the
most effective and professional law enforcement communities in the country. Our officers work tirelessly to keep our families safe and to address some our state's most complex and dangerous issues. Support for law enforcement has never been more vital."
Source: Campaign press release on 2016 New Hampshire Governor race
Aug 25, 2016
On Drugs:
Given NH's opioid epidemic, a drug czar is a necessity
The [drug czar] position is funded by an appropriation from the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery. At a news conference afterwards, Sununu said the position has been vacant for too long, given the
severity of the opioid epidemic. "This is an important position. It's vital, something everyone is clamoring for. It crosses party lines. It's just an absolute necessity for the state."
Source: Manchester Union Leader on 2016 New Hampshire governor race
Mar 9, 2016
On Abortion:
Take a pause in Planned Parenthood funding
Following is a letter written by N.H. Executive Councilors Colin Van Ostern & Chris Pappas to Chris Sununu and the other Executive Councilors requesting that they join in restoring Planned Parenthood funding in N.H.:For six months, New Hampshire
women and families have been deprived of critical funding for basic medical care; care that was budgeted for by legislators but denied when the Executive Council voted 3-2 in August to end contracts for Planned Parenthood health centers.
When the council voted narrowly against these funds in August, Councilor Sununu stated he was looking to "just take a pause," and the only objection cited by either Councilors Sununu or Kenney was the then-new videos which have since been debunked
(and their makers indicted).
The questions raised in the previous vote against these funds have been resolved, but the denial of funds continues. It's time to move forward together by setting aside political considerations and doing what is right.
Source: Portsmouth Herald OpEd on 2016 New Hampshire governor race
Jan 30, 2016
On Health Care:
Voted against funding Planned Parenthood state contracts
Sununu said he will not change his position against funding two Planned Parenthood state contracts. Sununu cast the deciding vote against two contracts for women's health services in August, amidst a controversy surrounding the posting of a secret video
recording of Planned Parenthood officials allegedly discussing the illegal sale of fetal tissue. When voting against the $639,000 in funding, he suggested he was looking to "just take a pause," to gather more information.
Source: Portsmouth-Herald on 2016 New Hampshire governor race
Jan 29, 2016
On Immigration:
The US should halt admitting Syrian refugees
Chris Sununu, a Republican gubernatorial hopeful, said the US should halt admitting Syrian refugees at this time. "A governor has no greater priority than the safety and security of their state's citizens, and
New Hampshire must not accept any Syrian refugees unless the US government can 100 percent guarantee they are not ISIS members or supporters," Sununu said.
Source: Manchester Union Leader on 2016 New Hampshire governor race
Nov 17, 2015
On Principles & Values:
Served three terms on the Executive Council
Republican Chris Sununu, the son of a former governor and brother of a former U.S. Senator, has kicked off the 2016 gubernatorial contest in New Hampshire as the race's first declared candidate.
Sununu, now serving his third term on the Executive Council, announced his intention to run for the state's top job at an annual GOP Labor Day picnic.
Sununu is the son of former Gov. John H. Sununu and the brother of former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu. Asked whether he's worried about voters being skeptical of political dynasties,
he gives an answer similar to that of GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush, the son and brother of ex-presidents.
Source: Nashua Telegraph on 2016 New Hampshire Governor's race
Sep 9, 2015
On Abortion:
Voted to restrict funding to local Planned Parenthood
After Sununu's candidacy announcement, New Hampshire Democrats quickly issued a statement focused on Sununu's funding vote: "Chris Sununu voted to restrict access to birth control and cancer screenings for thousands of women who rely on local
Planned Parenthood health centers and opposed the successful bipartisan expansion of health care to over 41,000 New Hampshire citizens," said the New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman.
Source: Union-Leader on 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial race
Sep 7, 2015
On Education:
More funding for charter schools; less power to bureaucrats
"We must reform education to ensure that every family has the same opportunity to maximize their student's potential in our schools," said Sununu. "That means empowering parents and teachers, and getting Washington bureaucrats out of New Hampshire's
classrooms. Breaking down barriers to school choice. Providing more funding for charter schools. Paying our brightest teachers the best wages. And, it means building a responsible budget, so that we can reinstate school building aid once and for all."
Source: Union-Leader on 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial race
Sep 7, 2015
On Government Reform:
End expansive government that stifles economic growth
I'm running for governor, because we need to close the opportunity gap that Democratic governors have slid us into over the past two decades.
We must end the expansive policies of government that are stifling economic growth in our state.
Source: Boston Globe on 2016 New Hampshire governor race
Sep 7, 2015
On Tax Reform:
Pledge to veto state sales tax and income tax
In his candidacy announcement, Sununu said he would veto a state sales tax or income tax, and took aim at Democratic incumbent Gov. Maggie Hassan. Just taking the pledge to veto broad-based taxes is not enough, he said. "When Maggie Hassan says
it's 'good enough,' that's not good enough for New Hampshire," Sununu said. "For too long, Democrats have allowed New Hampshire to lose what made it special. What gave it an advantage over other states. We should never be lagging behind Massachusetts."
Source: Union-Leader on 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial race
Sep 7, 2015
On Technology:
Opposed commuter rail from Boston to central New Hampshire
After Sununu's candidacy announcement, New Hampshire Democrats quickly issued a statement: "He's stood in the way of numerous renewable energy projects that would cut energy costs and create
jobs and has done everything he can to stop commuter rail from Boston to central New Hampshire and the jobs that will come with it," said the New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman.
Source: Union-Leader on 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial race
Sep 7, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018