CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – New Hampshire has a new governor – for two days.
Republican Senate President Chuck Morse is in charge between former governor Maggie Hassan’s swearing in as a U.S. Senator and Gov.-elect Chris Sununu’s inauguration. He’s approaching the short stint with a bit of sharp humor.
“Over the last four years, I thought I was the acting governor,” he said, referencing Hassan’s two terms. The pair often sparred over who deserved credit for the state budget and other policy accomplishments.
Morse officially became governor at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday and will hold the job until about noon Thursday, when Sununu is sworn in. It’s a short stint, but Morse is getting all the treatment of a regular governor, including a security detail to pick him up each morning at his Salem home.
He was ceremoniously introduced as governor to kick off Wednesday’s House session, sitting next to Speaker Shawn Jasper as members prayed, sang the national anthem and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.