On June 20th, NFIB hosted a gubernatorial candidate forum in Concord for the candidates vying to succeed retiring Gov. Chris Sununu. The primary election will take place on September 10th.
Three of the four leading candidates for governor participated in the 90-minute small event, which focused mostly on small business issues.
■ Kelly Ayotte (Republican), former U.S. Senator and State Attorney General
■ Chuck Morse (Republican), former State Senate President and State Representative
■ Cinde Warmington (Democrat), State Executive Councilor, 2nd District, and attorney
Former Manchester Mayor and City Alderman Joyce Craig (Democrat) was also invited to participate but declined.
Bruce Berke, NFIB’s state director in New Hampshire, deftly served as forum moderator, and question topics discussed included taxes, regulations, health care, hiring challenges, inflation, and economic development, among other pressing issues for Main Street businesses and communities.
“NFIB’s successful forum provided an invaluable opportunity for our members and other business owners to hear where each candidate stands on the issues affecting New Hampshire’s job creators,” NFIB State Director Bruce Berke said. “The candidates were able to tell small business owners and, thanks to the robust news media attendance and coverage, all voters in the Granite State their positions on the key issues in this election and the agenda they will set as governor. Our members were delighted that three of the four major candidates made the time to attend NFIB’s small business gubernatorial forum, and we regret that Joyce Craig did not participate as well.”