Corey Lewandowski, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, is considering a run for New Hampshire governor — as the White House weighs primarying GOP Gov. Kelly Ayotte over her resistance to redistricting.
Lewandowski, who was one of Trump’s 2016 campaign managers, worked on his 2024 campaign and is currently serving as a Department of Homeland Security senior adviser, expressed interest when asked by POLITICO about a potential bid.
“Governor is the only job in Politics I would ever consider giving up what I am currently doing for,” Lewandowski, who maintains a residence in Windham, New Hampshire, told POLITICO in a text message Wednesday. He did not say whether he had discussed the matter with the White House.
POLITICO first reported that the White House is considering a primary challenger to Ayotte as the president’s team ratchets up pressure on the first-term governor to follow other Republicans in redrawing congressional maps to protect the GOP’s House majority in the midterms. The White House and Ayotte’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lewandowski’s expansive role at the Department of Homeland Security has ruffled some feathers internally. He was originally tapped as a special governmental employee — a temporary role that is supposed to be limited to 130 days per year of unpaid work — and former and current administration officials have questioned how he is counting his days at the agency. He is listed in some places on DHS’ website as a chief adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and is regularly seen alongside her at events and on travel.
POLITICO also reported last month that Lewandowski has veto power over DHS contracts and grants that exceed $100,000, though he does not sign contracts in place of the secretary.
Amid the chatter about Lewandowski’s potential interest in running for governor, rumors also swirled this week that he was leaving the agency. One administration official said Lewandowski would only leave if requested by Trump or White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. The official, granted anonymity to discuss personnel matters, added that his exit would “dramatically change the atmosphere across DHS.”
But Lewandowski took to X Wednesday night to respond to the chatter about a potential departure.
“I thought it only fitting today to share the words of the famous Mark Twain … ‘The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,’” he said. “Lots of Fake News out there… don’t believe the MSM.”
A gubernatorial bid would give Lewandowski — and the Trump administration — an off-ramp.
But Lewandowski’s past flirtation with running for statewide office in New Hampshire — he considered running against Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in 2020 — landed with a thud among the state’s Republican establishment.
Andrew Howard contributed to this report.
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