Elections 2012

Foreign policy has taken center stage in Election 2012 after protests and violence at multiple U.S Embassies.  Political back and forth about how or how not to respond to the incidents have held up headlines, while the riots themselves remind us that there is world outside our borders that may not be voting for the next President of the United States, but nevertheless have an opinion.  We wanted to expand our on the international perspective of Election 2012, so we called Foreign Policy Associate Editor

New Hampshire Republicans gathered today for a unity breakfast. Over eggs and sausage, Republicans at the Manchester Country Club talked jobs and the economy. Party leaders stressed a need to work together before the November election. And the governor of Louisiana called for a conservative agenda in the New Hampshire statehouse.

Keynote speaker Bobby Jindal told the crowd that with Ovide Lamontagne as governor, New Hampshire can better compete for new business.

An Executive Council race in the Manchester area turned out to be one of the state's closest primary races.

Jackie Cilley concedes the Democratic gubernatorial race to Maggie Hassan, and says the primary debate was worth it for the party.

Both Ovide Lamontagne and Kevin Smith came into the race with strong conservative credentials. But Smith couldn’t overcome the name recognition and money of the front-runner.

At the night’s campaign headquarters in Concord, Bettie Lamontagne introduced her husband to a crowd of raucous supporters.

"Please welcome the love of my life, my best friend, and the person we all believe should be the next governor of the great state of New Hampshire, Ovide Lamontagne..."

Ovide Lamontagne secured the Republican nomination for his gubernatorial bid. He beat challenger Kevin Smith and will go on to face Maggie Hassan in the general election in November.

(Chants of "Ovide, Ovide")

Ovide Lamontagne took the podium shortly after accepting rival Kevin Smith's concession. But he didn't bask in the glow of victory for long.

"Please savor the moment. Savor the moment, because it's over."

Lamontagne's race was one of the first called of the evening, and he wasted no time in setting his sights on his Democratic opponent.

Last night Ovide Lamontagne turned a commanding lead in the polls into the Republican nomination for governor.  His main challenger, first-time candidate Kevin Smith, conceded the race early in the evening. 

In the race against a well-known candidate like Lamontagne, Smith was something of a long shot.  And he acknowledged that he was the unknown candidate.

Maggie Hassan gave her acceptance speech at her victory party tonight in Manchester, comparing her stance on free kindergarten and abortion rights with her now-opponent, Ovide Lamontagne.  Her biggest round of applause came when she announced that "women should be able to make our own health-care decisions." She continued by thanking her family and supporters.

Cilley thanked supporters and spoke candidly throughout her speech. "We moved the needle on pledge politics."  Not enough to win, but Cilley vowed to continue her fight against the pledge.

A crowd is forming at the Hassan victory party, although not all attendees are entirely enthusiastic.  Alex Cohen of Dover came to the Hassan victory party with his friend Linda, a campaign volunteer from Newmarket.  He's sporting a Hassan campaign sticker, but says "I always find myself voting for the lesser of two evils."

Minutes before Smith's arrival at the Derryfield, District 4 Executive Councilor candidate Tom DeBlois arrived to applause.