Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) took a jab at Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), calling him a “prick,” and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, labeling him a “jackass” on Thursday.
Sununu, recognized as the centrist Republican governor of a state that’s voted for a Republican in only one presidential election since 1992, made these remarks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute’s Reagan Institute Summit on Education when prompted to name the governors “really nobody liked.”
“Almost all the governors get along,” Sununu stated, later mentioning his positive relationships with Govs. Chris Murphy (D-NJ) and Tina Kotek (D-OR), both Democrats.
“In my eight years, there’s really only been two, maybe a third, but two real governors that really nobody liked,” Sununu said.
“Andrew Cuomo,” Sununu continued. “Complete jackass, no one likes him … [and] no one cares for Gavin. Gavin’s just a prick.”
“All of us got along for a while, but even the Democrats, they won’t tell you out loud, but behind closed doors, they’re like, ‘Oh god, look who’s coming,’” he remarked about Newsom.
“I’m sure that’ll hit social media, but who cares,” he added.
The comments shed light on the dynamics between the 27 Republicans and 23 Democrats governing America’s 50 states. Newsom stands out as particularly influential, being the governor of the largest West Coast state.
Cuomo was similarly influential until his resignation in 2021 amidst a sexual harassment scandal.
While Sununu criticized Cuomo and Newsom, he praised Kotek, describing her as “a wonderful person,” and highlighted Murphy’s “amazing sense of humor.”
Sununu has previously expressed his intention to vote for former President Donald Trump but has maintained his criticism of the former president, much like former presidential candidate and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s hesitant stance on the Republican presidential candidate. Sununu supported Haley during the Republican primaries.
