good to see everybody. Obviously there's some interest here. It's
interesting because in all my years uh and all my campaigns I actually don't
think I've ever held a political press conference. So uh but I do appreciate
the way to the question. I appreciate that there's some national interest in
kind of where my next moves may be political or otherwise. So just to be
sure we put some clarity to it and and and everyone understands where we are
in terms of how we're going to move forward. Everyone knows obviously how
much I love new Hampshire, how proud I am of the really amazing things that
our administration has been able to advance. Uh it started back in 2017 the
big initiative of fully funding Kindergarten and we just haven't taken
our foot off the gas from there. Um Everything from tax cuts and mental
health reforms are new sud system school choice. Uh And of course the
management of the covid pandemic which continues today. Uh It continues to be
the most fulfilling opportunity that I could possibly imagine being governor
is a very very unique position. Uh Working with people one on one, hearing
their stories uh And simply just trying to fix the system that has failed them
in many situations, engineering better solutions and most importantly just
always putting new Hampshire citizens first in this past year we've seen a
lot of new regulations. A lot of new executive orders, unprecedented
mandates all coming out of Washington D. C. So between managing covid and
growing our economy. I've had to work hard to push back on Washington's
attempts to frankly overregulate a lot of our communities right here in new
Hampshire. The vaccine mandate, the attempts to control our elections,
attempts to prime now into our bank accounts an unprecedented amount of
executive orders that bypass right over Congress and capitol hill And hit home
right here in the 603. Obviously with progressives controlling Washington D.
C. Uh there's a lot of interest in this Senate race that's appreciated and
understood. It's clearly seen as one of the best opportunities. America has to
have a 51st vote to stop chuck schumer from implementing what we all see as a
losing agenda for America. I've heard from countless voices across the
country. It's been very interesting. Uh the vast majority, them all urging me
to run for the U. S. Senate. Uh they give me advice on everything from
family and schedule uh policy leadership opportunities what the
Senate entails. Uh and I do appreciate everyone who who has reached out.
The Senate is clearly a very different place. Um in terms of expectations,
accountability, successes uh as governor, the job really demands a 24/7
accountability. The people of our state deserves nothing less. And it's where
you can be the most impactful. Sometimes there could be a dozen key
decisions in a day as a governor that have to be made and all can have an
incredibly direct and positive impact on individuals lives. Not so much so in
the Senate. It's a much slower pace and frankly, too often doing nothing is
considered a win and I appreciate those that understand the need for more
managers in Washington. I do more accountability and a connection with
Congress that frankly is completely unconnected to the things that face the
average american. More than ever. We need to protect our rational and
responsible approach. And from new Hampshire's perspective, I think we
have the opportunity to be an example that others can follow as granite
staters. I do believe that is our civic responsibility to the entire country.
We have to continue to be that example of how to work through our differences
without destroying that sense of community.
But my responsibility is not to the gridlock in politics of Washington Is
to the citizens of New Hampshire. And I'd rather push myself 120 mph
delivering winds for New Hampshire, uh, than to slow down, end up on capitol
hill debating partisan politics without results. That's why I'm going to run
for 1/4 term and I'd be honored if the people in new Hampshire would elect me
again as their governor. We have a lot more to do to protect the interests of
new Hampshire citizens. And it's just clear that I can be most effective
doing that. Uh, here in the corner office, uh, in the granite state
managing covid making impactful relief and recovery investments. Uh, fighting
Washington mandates and these, uh, unbelievable executive orders. Again,
that things that we just haven't seen come out of Washington before cutting
taxes and regulations. Uh I'm really proud of the work that we've done and
continue to do on mental health, rebuilding our sud system, uh better
serving kids crafting policies that keep our state's economic engine
running and there's just so much more that we can do. But a U. S. Senator
does none of this. A governor must be accountable and deliver results. It's
what I've done is how I can best serve new Hampshire and defend its values.
The good news for the Republican Party and our country as a whole is that the
people in new Hampshire are clearly ready to replace senator Hassan, we
have some great potential candidates that have privately expressed their
interest in running if I chose not to. And all the polls indicate that the
seat can easily be one
I want to take a moment and just recognize my family. Obviously that was
a big consideration here. Uh, and maybe it goes without saying that the
sacrifices of my family are perhaps the greatest consideration of all. Uh they
know my public service and they've been incredibly supportive, uh letting me
know that whatever path of public service I chose, whether it's the U. S.
Senate or staying as governor, returning to the private sector, they
were all incredibly supportive of whatever path I chose to take. My
commitment is obviously that is a dad raising his kids so they can enjoy the
same amazing place that I had the opportunity to grow up in so that
they're them and, and their kids and their kids, kids can all have their own
super 603 days, right. Um, uh, I also want to take a moment and acknowledge
my fellow governors a really important aspect to my decision process. Uh,
specifically, frankly, the republican governors in this country that I've
worked very, very closely sometimes on a day to day basis with, especially
during the covid pandemic, frankly, there's simply some of the best and
brightest individuals that I've ever had, the honor of working with
Republican governors in this country, especially they understand
accountability and delivering results, transparency, moving the ball forward.
Um, all a lot of those core beliefs, in terms of public service that I share,
um, they've banded together especially during the covid pandemic in a really
unprecedented way. Uh, and it was just such an honor to be part of that team.
It's a small club to be sure, but one that has to stay on the job 24 7. I
can't thank them enough for every effort that they put forth from charlie
baker in massachusetts and mike Parsons and Missouri and Doug Burgum in North
Dakota. I could go through the whole list. Uh, some of my best friends and
some of the best individuals that I've ever had, the honor of working with and
frankly that's a group that I really want to continue to be a part of it and
to be working with. They get results. And I love that. I really do. Um, I
also want to close by recognizing members of my administration. They are
also a big reason of why I chose to run again. I have a great team of
commissioners, a great team of executive staff that really understand
what we're trying to do here in terms of delivering services in an
accountable way and making sure that we always put the individual not politics,
not the government, but the individual has to come first. And we've been
really, really good at doing that here. Um, you only get one life to live. I'd
be honored to be provided the opportunity to spend a few more years
doing what I love with the people I love, uh, and serve across this amazing
state.