If you’re not wild about California Gov. Gavin Newsom, you may be in good company.
The Democrat’s name came up as New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu dished on some of his fellow governors during a fireside chat Thursday at the Ronald Reagan Institute Summit on Education in Washington.
“Look, almost all the governors get along. I mean, in my eight years, I can honestly tell you there’s really only been two — maybe a third — but two real governors that really nobody liked, nobody cared for at all,” Mr. Sununu said.
Asked to name them, the Republican delivered the goods, starting with former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid a slew of sexual harassment allegations.
“You really want me to? Andrew Cuomo, a complete jackass, no one liked him,” Mr. Sununu said. “And I got to be honest, no one cares for Gavin. Gavin’s just a prick. Excuse me, he just is.”
The audience burst into laughter, prompting Mr. Sununu to elaborate.
“It’s really disappointing. I got along with them, all of us got along,” he said. “But even the Democrats, they won’t tell you out loud, but behind closed doors, they’re like, ‘Oh, God, look who’s coming,’ you know? They all roll their eyes.”
Mr. Sununu may be guilty of political gamesmanship, given that he named two Democrats, but he would be in a position to know, having served as governor since 2017. His father, John H. Sununu, served as New Hampshire governor as well as chair of the National Governors Association.
Chris Sununu announced last year that he would not seek a fifth term after being elected to four two-year terms.
Mr. Newsom may not be popular with his fellow governors, but he was reelected in 2022 after surviving a recall effort the year before in the heavily Democratic state.
Since then, he has sought to position himself as the Democratic Party’s heir apparent to President Biden, although the Californian may have to wait his turn, given that Mr. Biden shows no signs of dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
Mr. Newsom has not commented publicly on Mr. Sununu’s remarks.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.