Governor Sununu Labels California's Newsom "Just a Prick" in Public Remarks

Washington, D.C. – Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu publicly characterized California Governor Gavin Newsom as "just a prick" during a recent appearance at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education. The blunt assessment, which quickly circulated on social media, highlighted a rare public display of animosity between state leaders. Sununu's comments were made while discussing the generally amicable relationships among governors.

During a fireside chat, Sununu, a Republican, asserted that while most governors maintain friendly relations, there have been exceptions during his eight years in office. He specifically named former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and current California Governor Gavin Newsom as individuals "that really nobody liked." Sununu stated, > "Nobody cares for Gavin. Gavin’s just a prick," adding that even Democratic governors privately "roll their eyes" at Newsom.

The remarks, initially shared on social media by Kevin Dalton, underscore the often-tense political landscape between state executives, particularly across party lines. Sununu, who chose not to seek a fifth term as New Hampshire's governor and supported Nikki Haley in the recent Republican presidential primaries, has been known for his candid political commentary. His criticism of Newsom follows a pattern of cross-state political sparring, including Newsom's own high-profile debates and rivalries with figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Newsom's office has declined to comment on Sununu's statements. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for former Governor Cuomo, responded to Sununu's similar criticism of Cuomo by stating, "It’s nice to see that they both feel the same way about each other." This exchange provides a glimpse into the personal dynamics that sometimes underpin inter-state political discourse, even as governors often collaborate on policy matters.