Sununu to nominate John Formella as attorney general
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican Gov. Chris Sununu plans to nominate his legal counsel, John Formella, to serve as New Hampshire’s attorney general.
Sununu said he will submit the nomination to the Executive Council on Wednesday, with a vote likely March 24. If confirmed, Formella would replace Gordon MacDonald, who was sworn in last week as chief justice of the state Supreme Court.
Sununu said Formella’s excellent relationships with state leaders will enable him to transition smoothly into the new role.
“John has been a key member of my team since the day I took office, and his incredible legal skill and exceptional work ethic have helped me guide the State through the historic challenges we have faced during the past four years,” Sununu said in a statement Tuesday.
In his current role, he worked on the establishment of the state’s Doorway program for substance abuse treatment, a settlement over payments to hospitals for uncompensated care, criminal justice reform initiatives and efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Previously, he worked in private practice in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine.
His nomination was praised by Mary Tenn, former president of the New Hampshire Bar Association, and Robert Lynn, former chief justice of the state Supreme Court.