Sununu criticized for campaigning for Nikki Haley during NH flooding and evacuations

NH Gov. Chris Sununu smiled in selfies on social media while campaigning on behalf of Nikki Haley during NH storm evacuations over the weekend. (@ChrisSununu via X)

By Colin Booth

January 14, 2024

As an unprecedented storm damaged New Hampshire’s coastline and Granite Staters were forced to evacuate their homes, Governor Chris Sununu has continued campaigning for Nikki Haley in New Hampshire over the weekend.

Emergency responders told Seacoast online “the astronomical high tide’s impact was the most severe they have seen in their careers.” Meanwhile, Chris Sununu smiled in selfies on social media with the caption, “Can’t stop won’t stop. Spent the rainy morning knocking doors for @NikkiHaley in Windham today!”

Hampton Beach Police Chief Alex Reno told WMUR that police and fire crews have had to respond to a number of high-water rescue requests at residential homes in Hampton and taken to shelter at Hampton Academy.

“Chris Sununu put his national political delusions ahead of the welfare of New Hampshire’s seacoast community. By his own admission, he was off canvassing for Nikki Haley’s hopeless presidential campaign instead of taking a hands-on role to storm response,” said Amplify NH Executive Director Ryan Mahoney. “It’s shameful.”

Former New Hampshire Democratic party chair Kathy Sullivan took to social media pointing out how Sununu’s predecessor handled similar weather emergencies and contrasted them with Sununu’s behavior.

“Remember Gov. John Lynch.. on site following major storm emergencies passing his card w/ personal phone number to NHites affected by severe damage? Not @govchrissununu, who was inland posting pix of himself campaigning for Haley while Hampton was literally under water.”

The New Hampshire Department of Safety reported more than 12,000 Granite Staters lost power. Nearly two dozen people were rescued by first responders in Hampton Beach and others were evacuated from their homes. None of this prompted any public response from the Governor as of Sunday morning.

Recent polling shows Haley trailing Donald Trump in Iowa by nearly 30%. Other polls from the past week show her behind in New Hampshire as well, even losing in her home state of South Carolina.

Sununu’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Author

Colin Booth

Based in Manchester, Colin Booth is Granite Post's political correspondent. A Granite State native and veteran political professional with a deep background in journalism, he's worked on campaigns and programs in battleground states across the country, ranging from New Hampshire, Texas, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.

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