With New Hampshire's Republican governor looking for the exits, prominent Democrat joins race

New Hampshire Democrat Cinde Warmington, who is her party’s only member on the state’s unique Executive Council, on Thursday became the first notable candidate to announce a bid for governor next year. That post is currently held by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who has won his last three contests with ease but has loudly hinted that he won’t run for reelection—possibly to run for the White House. But whether or not Sununu makes a long-shot bid for the presidency, his departure would give Democrats a strong chance to reclaim his office after eight years in the wilderness.

Warmington devoted much of her kickoff video to emphasizing her support for abortion rights, though she also told viewers she didn’t care what Sununu's political future holds. But with the governor likely to pursue other options, Warmington probably won't have the primary to herself: Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig formed an exploratory committee a month ago, and WMUR writes she’s “expected to officially enter the race soon.” On the GOP side, meanwhile, former state Senate President Chuck Morse said last month he’d run if Sununu bails, and several other Republicans are also considering doing likewise.