Hassan to resign effective Jan. 3, Morse to become acting governor

Gov. Maggie Hassan said she will resign effective Jan. 3, 2017, as she prepares for her next job as a U.S. senator.

Because she can’t be sworn into the Senate while holding another office, Hassan, a Democrat, is following the precedent set by former Republican Gov. Judd Gregg, who joined the Senate in 1993.

Hassan will resign at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 2 in advance of her swearing-in as senator on Jan. 3. Effective midnight on Jan. 3, Republican Senate President Chuck Morse will be acting governor until Republican Gov.-elect Chris Sununu’s inauguration on Jan. 5.

Hassan said Wednesday she informed legislative leadership from both parties and Sununu of her intentions.

Associated Press