The Governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu, has called for Republican presidential primary candidates to rally against former President Donald Trump in the race for the 2024 GOP nomination.
What Happened: In a thought-provoking op-ed for The New York Times on Sunday, titled “If Republicans Narrow the Field, We Will Beat Trump,” Governor Sununu encouraged fellow Republicans to distance themselves from Trump’s theatrics and present their vision to the American people.
Sununu urged Republican candidates not to shy away from challenging Trump, pointing out that nearly 60% of voters are open to a new nominee. He highlighted the potential of candidates like Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy, pushing them to show readiness to confront Trump.
Sununu also cautioned about the electoral implications if Trump becomes the GOP nominee, referring to a recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll indicating that nearly two-thirds of Americans are unlikely to support Trump in 2024.
“If Mr. Trump is the Republican nominee for president in 2024, Republicans will lose up and down the ballot,” he said.
“Donald Trump is beatable, and it starts in Iowa and New Hampshire. Ignore the national polls that show he is leading — they are meaningless. It’s a reflection of the national conversation, name ID, and who is top of mind — not where the momentum is headed.”
Sununu reiterated his pledge to endorse and campaign for the most viable alternative to Trump, stating that the future of the Republican Party hinges on focusing the conversation on a nominee committed to saving America.
Why It Matters: Sununu’s stance comes at a critical time when Trump has confirmed his non-participation in the upcoming GOP primary debate, citing his widely recognized identity. However, there’s speculation about his participation in future debates.
This isn’t the first time Sununu has publicly addressed Trump’s role in the 2024 race. He previously urged Trump to participate in the 2024 GOP presidential debates and not to “play the victim card.”
Meanwhile, other Republicans like Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have also publicly encouraged Trump to withdraw from the 2024 race, asserting that he would lose in a general election against President Joe Biden.
Produced in association with Benzinga
