CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Two energy companies, a health care company and a law firm with dozens of lobbying clients are the top donors to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s inaugural committee, each giving $25,000.
They’re among at least 40 businesses, law firms and energy and health care companies listed as contributors to the committee, which helps pay for inaugural celebrations. Sununu is hosting inaugural events Friday in Portsmouth, Saturday in Nashua and Jan. 21 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. He was sworn in Thursday as New Hampshire’s 82nd governor.
Energy companies Eversource and NextEra Energy Resources are two top donors. Eversource is a major utility in New Hampshire and is behind the Northern Pass transmission line project. Sununu supports the project, and Eversource executives contributed at least $19,000 to his campaign. NextEra operates the Seabrook Nuclear Station.
The other top donors are law firm Gallagher, Callahan and Gartrell, which lobbied on behalf of dozens of clients at the Statehouse last year, and Centene, a company that contracts with the state to manage health care for Medicaid recipients for hundreds of millions of dollars.
Sununu’s predecessor, Democratic U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, also paid for her inaugural activities with donations from Eversource and other businesses and law firms, including Gallagher, Callahan and Gartrell.
“There is a long-standing tradition of leaders from the business community in New Hampshire who participate in inaugural celebrations, regardless of party,” Sununu spokesman Dave Abrams said.
Donors that gave $10,000 include national companies such as AT&T and Wal-Mart, as well as New Hampshire businesses such as Beer Distributors of New Hampshire and the utility company Unitil.
Among the $5,000 donors are Sig Sauer, BAE, Anthem, Fairport, Elliot Health System and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen donated $1,000.
Sununu is required by law to file a full list of donors, including individuals, with the Secretary of State by March.
A list of inaugural donors can be found at: https://www.sununuinauguralcelebration.com/sponsors#oursponsors .
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