NH Councilor slams colleague after ‘Private businesses have the right to refuse service’ comment

Above: Openly gay New Hampshire Executive Councilor Chris Pappas.
Openly gay New Hampshire Executive Councilor Chris Pappas slammed gubernatorial candidate and fellow Councilor Chris Sununu after the latter expressed openness to supporting an anti-LGBTQ law similar to the one passed by Indiana governor turned vice presidential candidate Mike Pence.
“Look, private businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone they want,” said Sununu, in an interview with the Union-Leader.
In response, Pappas criticized Sununu and told Victory Fund: “It’s outrageous that Chris Sununu is open to allowing New Hampshire businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ residents.  As the fourth generation owner of a family restaurant business, we open our doors to all and treat every guest with dignity and respect.  The law should not permit any less.  As an elected official, I am sure I would have many allies fighting such legislation because it runs contrary to who we are as Granite Staters.”
Sununu is considered by many to be the favorite to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination in New Hampshire this November. His anti-LGBTQ position is held by other nominees for the seat, including Republican State Senator Jeannie Foster.
Pappas’ outspoken condemnation of Sununu’s support for a discriminatory law is emblematic of the importance of LGBTQ representation in elected office. As a Councilor, Pappas has a key role in influencing and checking the power of the state’s governor, and has a long history of defending LGBTQ rights in Concord, including his work to help restore funding for Planned Parenthood.
Pappas was supported by Victory Fund when he first ran for his seat on the Executive Council in 2012 and again in 2014. Victory has once again endorsed Pappas in his 2016 reelection bid.