Chuck Morse will Seek Senate Presidency

Sen. Chuck Morse (R-Salem) will seek the Senate presidency following Peter Bragdon's resignation Friday, according to the Union Leader.

Morse announced Friday afternoon that he would seek the post.

The New Hampshire Democratic Party and several newspapers had called on Bragdon to relinquish his post as Senate President due to the potential for a conflict of interest after he was named the new head of the Local Government Center earlier this week.

A new Senate President is expected to be named sometime after Labor Day.

Former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu issued the following statement on Morse's announcement:

"I am pleased that Senator Chuck Morse is willing to serve as the next President of the State Senate," Sununu said. "He has been a tireless advocate for the traditional New Hampshire principles of smaller government, fiscal responsibility and limited taxation. Nobody understands state government and the details of the New Hampshire budget better than Chuck, and he would do an outstanding job as the leader of the Senate."