CONCORD, N.H. — As a child, Chris Sununu sat behind his dad's desk at the New Hampshire Statehouse on Inauguration Day, only to be told by his father he'd have to run for governor if he wanted to sit there.

He did, and in January the Republican will become the nation's youngest governor at age 42.

Sununu, whose birthday was Nov. 5, is seven months younger than Republican Eric Greitens, who was elected governor of Missouri on Tuesday, and two years younger than South Carolina's Republican governor, Nikki Haley, who currently holds the “youngest” title.

Sununu, whose father, John H. Sununu, served three terms as governor starting in 1983, downplayed the significance of his age. He said this week he's glad voters chose him for his experience. He couldn't be reached Friday for further comment.

Haley said she's looking forward to working with Sununu.

The Democratic candidate for New Hampshire governor this year, Colin Van Ostern, was even younger than Sununu — 37. During their campaign, each tried to portray the other as inexperienced businessmen.

Van Ostern has worked for political campaigns, Stonyfield Yogurt and Southern New Hampshire University; Sununu is a former environmental engineer who more recently helped buy and operate the Waterville Valley ski area.

While Sununu will be the nation's youngest governor, he won't be the youngest ever to serve New Hampshire.

That distinction goes to Republican Hugh Gregg, who was 35 when he was elected in 1952.