NH Governor Race: Molly Kelly Vs. Chris Sununu

CONCORD, NH -- New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican ranked as one of the country's most popular governors and a member of perhaps the state's most storied political family, is running for re-election Tuesday against former state senator Molly Kelly, who's hoping to ride a wave of Democratic enthusiasm to the corner office. Sununu was leading Kelly by a margin of 50 percent to 39 percent, according to the latest University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll.

Sununu, 43, is the youngest governor in the country. He was also ranked as the fourth-most popular governor in the country in a summer poll conducted by Morning Consult. He ran unopposed in the September primary.

"We are getting the job done for Granite Staters," Sununu said in a statement when he filed for re-election over the summer. "Today, more people are working than ever before in our state's history, and business taxes are at their lowest in the 21st (century)."

Sununu has frequently touted the strength of New Hampshire's economy on the campaign trail. The state's unemployment rate last month was 2.7 percent, tied for the third-lowest in the country and a full point below the national average of 3.7 percent.

"We’re in good times right now," Sununu said October 22 during a debate with Kelly in Nashua, according to the Concord Monitor.

Kelly, 69, is a former state senator from Keene who served five terms. She now lives in Harrisville. She captured the Democratic nomination for governor after defeating former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand in the September primary by a margin of 66 percent to 34 percent.

"I will fight for you every single day so we can build a (New Hampshire) that works for everyone, not just a few," Kelly said in statement after her primary win. "We're going to show everyone what is possible this year."

Kelly has made paid family leave a cornerstone of her campaign. She said she supports up to six weeks of paid leave for employees for reasons including having a child or dealing with a spouse's illness.

"Paid family leave is about being with the people we love most when they need us most," Kelly said in a statement earlier this month. "I’ll be a Governor who puts families first and makes paid family leave a reality."

Sununu has supported paid family leave, though he threatened to veto a leave bill earlier this year.

Sununu's legislative experience includes two terms as an executive councilor starting in 2010 when he lived in Newfields. Sununu's father, John H., is a former New Hampshire governor and White House Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush. Sununu's brother, John E., is a former New Hampshire U.S. Senator.

"Governor Chris Sununu's job performance and his personal popularity ratings remain high as the November election approaches," the authors of the latest Granite State Poll wrote.

However, Kelly could capitalize of Democratic enthusiasm for this midterm election that also features congressional races in both of New Hampshire's districts. Democratic interest among Granite State voters for this election is the highest since 2006, according to the Granite State Poll.

The race leaned Republican, according to Politico.

New Hampshire governors serve two-year terms.

Related:

• Historic NH Congress Race: Eddie Edwards Vs. Chris Pappas
• NH Congresswoman Ann Kuster Seeks Re-Election Vs. Steve Negron

Photo credits: nh.gov (left) and Molly Kelly (right)