Cook says he won’t run for N.H. governor in 2014

Manchester attorney: ‘the historic fact is that first-term governors almost always win a second term’

Manchester attorney Brad Cook, a longtime columnist for New Hampshire Business Review, has decided not to seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2014.

Cook, a senior shareholder in the law firm of Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green, had previously said he would make his decision on a candidacy over the Thanksgiving holiday.

In a statement released Friday morning, Cook said, “After consulting with friends and family, I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2014. I want to thank all those who encouraged me to run, who offered help and money, but the historic fact is that first-term governors almost always win a second term, and I would be doing a disservice to my family, friends and myself to engage in the kind of effort required only to make a point. I would not run to lose. I enjoy my current profession and serving my clients, enjoy being on the N.H. Ballot Law Commission and writing a column for New Hampshire Business Review. 2014 is not the right time for me to change all this.”

Cook, however reiterated his reason for considering a gubernatorial run – his opposition to expanded gambling, which Gov. Maggie Hassan supports.

“I believe Governor Hassan should be challenged on her support of expanded gambling, which is wrong for New Hampshire, and shall work with the opponents of expanded gambling to defeat it,” Cook said in the statement. “I also believe that the fundamental and major issues regarding New Hampshire’s economy and future need to be addressed and debated, and action needs to be taken to improve the economy and restore a real ‘New Hampshire Advantage,’ and shall work to see that policies are put in place to do so.”