Chris Sununu

Chris Sununu
Born	Christopher Thomas Sununu 11/5/1974
Birthplace	Salem, New Hampshire, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Trade association executive, politician, engineer
Known for	82nd Governor of New Hampshire (2017–2025)
Education	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS)
Children	3
Awards	Four-term governor of New Hampshire
Website	http://www.chrissununu.com/

Christopher Thomas Sununu (born November 5, 1974) is an American politician, engineer, and trade association executive who served as the 82nd governor of New Hampshire from January 2017 to January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Sununu was elected to four consecutive two-year terms, making him only the second governor in New Hampshire history to achieve that distinction, after John Lynch. Born into one of the state's most prominent political families — the son of former governor and White House chief of staff John H. Sununu and the younger brother of former U.S. senator John E. Sununu — Chris Sununu built his own political career first as a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council and later as governor, where he became known for fiscal conservatism, tax cuts, and efforts to address the state's opioid crisis. Before entering politics, he worked as a civil and environmental engineer and served as chief executive officer of the Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire. After leaving the governorship in January 2025, Sununu transitioned to the private sector and media commentary. In August 2025, he was named president and CEO of Airlines for America (A4A), the principal trade organization representing the major U.S. airlines.

Early Life

Christopher Thomas Sununu was born on November 5, 1974, in Salem, New Hampshire. He is a member of the Sununu family, one of the most recognized political families in New Hampshire. His father, John H. Sununu, served as the 75th governor of New Hampshire from 1983 to 1989 and subsequently served as White House chief of staff under President George H. W. Bush. His older brother, John E. Sununu, represented New Hampshire in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2003 and in the U.S. Senate from 2003 to 2009.

The Sununu family is of Lebanese and Palestinian Christian descent through John H. Sununu's parents. Chris Sununu grew up in Salem, New Hampshire, and was raised in a household steeped in Republican politics and public service. His upbringing in a politically active family exposed him to the mechanics of governance and campaigning from an early age.

Education

Sununu attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil and environmental engineering. His engineering background informed his subsequent career in both the private sector and public service, where he frequently emphasized data-driven decision-making and fiscally conservative approaches to governance.

Career

Business Career

Before entering politics, Sununu worked as an environmental engineer and later became chief executive officer of the Waterville Valley Resort, a ski resort and vacation destination in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. His management of the resort gave him experience in business operations, tourism, and economic development — themes that would become central to his political platform.

New Hampshire Executive Council (2011–2017)

Sununu entered electoral politics in 2010 when he ran for a seat on the New Hampshire Executive Council, representing the 3rd district. The Executive Council is a five-member body unique to New Hampshire's government that serves as an advisory board to the governor, with authority to approve contracts, judicial nominations, and other executive actions. Sununu won the 2010 election, succeeding Beverly Hollingworth.

He was reelected to the Executive Council in 2012 and again in 2014. During his tenure on the Executive Council, Sununu gained attention for his role in the council's 2015 vote to defund Planned Parenthood facilities in New Hampshire. He served on the Executive Council until January 2017, when he was succeeded by Russell Prescott.

Governor of New Hampshire (2017–2025)

First Term (2017–2019)

Sununu ran for governor of New Hampshire in 2016, seeking to succeed outgoing Democratic governor Maggie Hassan, who was running for the U.S. Senate. During the campaign, Sununu staked out positions on a range of issues, including opposition to a state income tax and a state sales tax, support for the Second Amendment, and a focus on addressing the opioid crisis. The issue of abortion also featured prominently in the race.

Sununu won the 2016 gubernatorial election and was inaugurated on January 5, 2017. In his inauguration address, he laid out a vision for a "results-focused government" and pledged to promote economic growth in the state.

Sununu's first term was marked by a focus on fiscal conservatism and business-friendly economic policies. He identified property taxes as a significant burden on New Hampshire businesses and worked to address the issue through regulatory and tax policy.

On health care, Sununu expressed skepticism about the U.S. Senate's proposed health care legislation during the early months of the Trump administration, calling the plan "not viable" for New Hampshire in an appearance on PBS NewsHour. He also signed legislation aimed at expanding health care options for veterans in the state.

On energy policy, Sununu vetoed an energy bill, citing concerns about high costs to electric ratepayers in the state.

In 2018, Sununu signed two pro-LGBT bills into law, marking a notable move for a Republican governor. The legislation expanded protections for LGBTQ individuals in New Hampshire.

On immigration, Sununu stated that he would refuse to deploy the New Hampshire National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border if the deployment involved separating families, distancing himself from the Trump administration's family separation policy.

In 2018, Sununu nominated 27 areas in New Hampshire as Opportunity Zones under a federal tax incentive program designed to encourage investment in economically distressed communities.

Reelection and Subsequent Terms (2019–2025)

Sununu was reelected in 2018, 2020, and 2022, each time winning by substantial margins that demonstrated his popularity in the swing state. New Hampshire holds gubernatorial elections every two years, requiring governors to face voters more frequently than in most other states. His ability to win four consecutive terms made him only the second governor in New Hampshire history to do so, following Democrat John Lynch, who also served four terms.

During the 2018 campaign, issues such as abortion rights and LGBTQ protections featured prominently. Democratic challenger Molly Kelly highlighted what she described as threats to abortion and gay rights under Sununu's governorship.

Throughout his governorship, Sununu cultivated a reputation as a moderate Republican who was willing to break with national party orthodoxy on select issues. He maintained a focus on keeping New Hampshire free of a broad-based income or sales tax, promoting economic competitiveness, and addressing the opioid crisis that had disproportionately affected New Hampshire and other New England states.

Sununu's stance on social issues was mixed. While he signed pro-LGBTQ legislation, he also supported restrictions on certain transgender rights during his later terms, reflecting the broader national debate within the Republican Party on these issues.

Sununu noted that he did not involve himself directly in the New Hampshire Republican Party platform process, maintaining a degree of independence from state party politics.

Decision Not to Seek a Fifth Term

On July 19, 2023, Sununu announced that he would not seek a fifth term as governor. The decision came after considerable speculation about his political future, including whether he might run for the U.S. Senate or seek the Republican presidential nomination. Sununu endorsed Kelly Ayotte, the former U.S. senator from New Hampshire, to succeed him. Ayotte won the 2024 gubernatorial election and succeeded Sununu when his term ended on January 9, 2025.

Sununu had previously declined to enter the 2022 U.S. Senate race, a decision that disappointed some national Republican leaders who viewed him as a strong candidate to challenge Democratic incumbent Maggie Hassan.

Post-Governorship

Media Commentary

After leaving office in January 2025, Sununu became an active commentator on national political and policy issues, appearing on programs across multiple television networks. He provided analysis on topics including energy prices, government operations, and transportation policy.

Airlines for America

On August 18, 2025, Airlines for America (A4A), the principal trade association representing the leading U.S. airlines, announced that Sununu would become its new president and CEO. In this role, Sununu became the public voice of the airline industry on matters of federal policy, regulation, and operations.

Sununu's tenure at A4A coincided with significant challenges for the airline industry, particularly related to a partial shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in early 2026 that led to staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As TSA officers faced extended periods without pay, security lines at major U.S. airports grew to extraordinary lengths, disrupting travel for millions of passengers.

Sununu was outspoken in his criticism of the impact of the shutdown on air travel. In a March 2026 statement, he noted that "more than 2.7 million people cleared through TSA yesterday" while highlighting the strain on TSA officers and the broader travel system. He raised concerns about the effects of TSA shortages and the government shutdown on airport operations in media appearances, including on Fox News.

In earlier statements, Sununu expressed "deep concern" about the impact of the DHS shutdown on TSA operations and airport security. He also addressed the long security lines at airports, noting that TSA officers were "facing a $0" paycheck while continuing to perform essential duties.

Sununu also appeared on television to discuss the TSA situation, sitting down with national news anchors to explain the airline industry's perspective on the crisis.

In March 2026, Sununu issued a statement welcoming an announcement to reopen Global Entry enrollment, calling it "a positive" development for travelers.

Personal Life

Chris Sununu is the son of John H. Sununu and Nancy Sununu. His brother, John E. Sununu, served as a U.S. representative and senator from New Hampshire. The Sununu family has roots in the Lebanese and Palestinian Christian communities.

Sununu has three children. He has maintained his residence in New Hampshire throughout his career in politics and business. He has described himself as a moderate Republican and has, at various points, distanced himself from certain positions taken by the national Republican Party, particularly on social issues and the family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Recognition

Sununu's four-term tenure as governor of New Hampshire placed him in a select category in the state's political history. He is the second governor to win four consecutive terms, joining John Lynch, a Democrat who served from 2005 to 2013. New Hampshire's two-year gubernatorial terms make sustained electoral success particularly challenging, as governors must continually campaign and maintain voter approval in a state known for its independent-minded electorate.

As governor, Sununu earned recognition for his management of the state's economy and his efforts to maintain New Hampshire's status as one of the few states without a broad-based income or sales tax. His handling of the opioid crisis, which affected New Hampshire at disproportionately high rates compared to the national average, was a prominent feature of his administration.

Sununu's appointment as president and CEO of Airlines for America in 2025 reflected his transition from state-level governance to a national leadership role in the private sector, representing one of the country's largest and most significant industries.

Legacy

Chris Sununu's governorship is defined by a consistent commitment to fiscal conservatism in a state that prizes limited government and low taxation. Over his four terms, he maintained New Hampshire's position as a state without an income tax or sales tax while pursuing policies designed to attract and retain businesses. His vetoes of legislation he deemed too costly for ratepayers or taxpayers, and his advocacy for Opportunity Zones and other economic development tools, reflected a pragmatic approach to governance.

On social issues, Sununu's record was more nuanced than many of his Republican counterparts in other states. His signing of pro-LGBTQ legislation in 2018 and his refusal to deploy the National Guard for family separations at the border distinguished him as a Republican willing to chart an independent course. At the same time, his later support for restrictions on certain transgender rights aligned him with broader trends within the Republican Party.

Sununu's decision not to seek a fifth term or pursue higher federal office surprised some observers who had speculated about a potential presidential or Senate bid. His endorsement of Kelly Ayotte as his successor helped shape the 2024 gubernatorial race and ensured continuity in Republican governance of the state.

His subsequent role at Airlines for America positioned him as a significant voice in national transportation and regulatory policy, extending his influence beyond New Hampshire politics into the broader arena of federal governance and industry advocacy.