Fergus Cullen

The New Hampshire Republican Party has announced that its state committee will meet in mid-January to select a chairman.

Yesterday, in an email to Republicans, Chairman Fergus Cullen said that the meeting will be held on Jan. 17 at Bedford High School.

New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen said that U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord) is demonstrating a "certain arrogance" by thinking about running for the U.S. Senate in 2010.

"At a time when so many NH residents are hoping they'll get power back, Paul Hodes has another sort of power on his mind," Cullen wrote in an email to PolitickerNH.com. "It takes a certain arrogance to campaign for re-election, win, and immediately talk about running for another office before you're even sworn in to the office you just won."

New Hampshire Republican Party Vice Chairman Wayne MacDonald says that outgoing party Chairman Fergus Cullen worked "tirelessly" for the party and did the best job he could in light of recent problems within the party.

Cullen has decided not to run for a second term as party chair and former Gov. John H. Sununu has announced that he will run for the post. So far, Sununu is the only declared candidate for the position.

Though they often sparred in the media, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said that outgoing New Hampshire Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen "got a bum rap" for the losses that his party suffered in November.

"I wish the former governor well, but honestly I think Fergus got a bum rap," Buckley wrote in an email about Cullen's decision not to run for a second term. "A state party chairman can only do so much; success really rests with the quality of the candidates, the strength of their message and willingness of the voters to listen to them. Unfortunately for Fergus he had none of the above."

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-Rye) is throwing his support behind former Gov. John H. Sununu's bid to become the next chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party.

Current New Hampshire Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen announced yesterday that he will not run for another term and is now supporting Sununu's decision to run for the position.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date:                December 5, 2008 Contact:           Fergus Cullen, Chairman, New Hampshire Republican Party                         603-225-9341 office, 603-520-5450 cell   CULLEN STEPING ASIDE AS GOP CHAIRMAN FOR GOVERNOR SUNUNU  0A CONCORD – Fergus Cullen, Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, made the following statement today:   “In the weeks since the election, I have had an ongoing positive and collaborative discussion with former Governor John H. Sununu about the future of the New Hampshire Republican Party and what role Governor Sununu might play as we work to continue the process of rebuilding and strengthening the Party.  Governor Sununu has decided that he wants to apply his considerable experience, talent, and intellect to the job of state party chairman.  I have decided to step aside when my term ends in January and support his candidacy for this position.”

New Hampshire Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen has announced that he will not run for a second term as chairman and is supporting the candidacy of former Gov. John H. Sununu for the state party's top position.

"In the weeks since the election, I have had an ongoing positive and collaborative discussion with former Governor John H. Sununu about the future of the New Hampshire Republican Party and what role Governor Sununu might play as we work to continue the process of rebuilding and strengthening the Party," Cullen wrote in an e-mail to state Republicans. "Governor Sununu has decided that he wants to apply his considerable experience, talent, and intellect to the job of state party chairman. I have decided to step aside when my term ends in January and support his candidacy for this position."

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