No second term for Sununu in New Hampshire

(CNN) - Former Gov. John Sununu will not seek a second term as chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, he informed the state party committee Monday.

Sununu, who served three terms as governor and as Chief-of-Staff to President George H.W. Bush, had not been expected to run again.

He assumed the job in something of a caretaker role in January 2009, after New Hampshire Republicans in previous cycles had failed to hold onto the governor's mansion, a Senate seat, two House seats and majorities in both the state Senate and House. Never one to take on Democrats in a blunt fashion, he is credited with helping re-organize the party infrastructure while boosting fundraising and grassroots energy.

"For a variety of personal, family and business reasons I cannot provide the time and focus required to serve as chairman for another 2-year term," Sununu told party members in a letter. "It is important that we elect a new chairman who is capable of managing the Party, raising money and expanding our reinvigorated grassroots effort for 2012."

Sununu presided over an election cycle in 2010 that saw Granite State Republicans retain a U.S. Senate seat and pick up two House seats along with capturing large majorities in both chambers of the state House. In the state's most high-profile race, though, Republicans failed to unseat Democratic Gov. John Lynch.

His possible successors include Cheshire County GOP chairwoman Juliana Bergeron, former Congressional candidate Jennifer Horn and Sununu's son James.

The party will elect a new chairman on Jan. 22, and Sununu has not ruled out making an endorsement.