CONCORD – The Executive Council is meeting remotely Wednesday at 10 a.m. with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and the public is welcomed to call in and listen.

Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky, D-Concord, a candidate for governor, said the public will not have an opportunity to speak during the meeting, but can email him after with their thoughts at info@volinskynh.com. To call in to the meeting, dial 1-800-356-8278, enter 6 digit code: 125563# at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

On Monday, Sununu asked the five Executive Councilors to confirm Eddie Edwards’ nomination to head up the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification without a public hearing.

Sununu is a strong backer of Edwards. It’s important to have fully staffed leadership teams during the pandemic, Sununu told them.

And interim executive director Lindsey Courtney could return to her role as director of Health Professions, he said.

“I am proud to nominate Eddie Edwards to lead OPLC. His many years of leadership and management experience in a variety of roles will serve him well in this position,” Sununu said in a recent statement.

“Eddie has extensive experience in licensing and enforcement, including serving as the Director of Enforcement and Licensing for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission from 2005-2013. Eddie also served for over 10 years as a trainer and consultant for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, where he provided training and technical assistance in 15 states in a variety of health-related areas,” Sununu said.

Volinsky said Edwards, a Republican who lost his bid to represent New Hampshire’s First Congressional District in 2018, is unqualified for the job and needs a public vetting.

Volinsky said it’s still uncertain if Secretary of State Bill Gardner will attend the meeting after Councilors urged Sununu to invite him. If he does join, he’ll discuss plans for New Hampshire elections in light of COVID-19.

Both Gardner and Sununu oppose no-excuse absentee voting, but during a global pandemic, they must listen to calls to protect public health and safety, Volinsky said.