|
 |
|
|
|
By Chris Anu
New Hampshire Herald
|
|
|
|
The first time Ovide Lamontagne was in
the political spotlight was 14 years ago.
Back then he was running as the
Republican nominee for governor of NH.
He lost the election to Democrat Jeanne
Shaheen, and since that time
recommitted his focus to his law
practice. However, Ovide is back in the
limelight again. This time his goal is not
just to reshape the state of affairs in NH
but the soul of the nation.
He seeks his party’s nomination for the
senate seat currently held by retiring law
maker, Judd Gregg. With the nation
plagued with multiple turmoils, including
unemployment and immigration reform,
Ovide says if nominated he hopes to
|
|
|
|
help reshape the course of a nation that is fast going down the drain. Sitting down with
him for this interview he was very much at ease and quite approachable. With intermittent
smiles and a posture of optimism, he sounded extremely confident he will succeed in the
NH Republican primary on September 4th.
According to recent UNH polling almost all of the Republican candidates contending for
the party’s single ticket will beat Paul Hodes, the sole democratic opponent. Lamontagne
wasn’t mentioned in that poll as he wasn’t campaigning yet. But his campaign seems to
have taken off recently. Unlike Bill Binnie and others, this candidate is coming late into the
scene and when asked why he responded, “It’s still several months from the primary” he
said. “We’re still creating a network of grassroots supporters, recruiting more people and
raising more money”. Losing the 1996 election, Ovide said he learned from that
campaign that he lost to Jeanne Shaheen because many people didn’t know him or
understand what he stood for.
“Lots of people didn’t know me. I am a federalist, a constitutionalist. I believe in limited
powers to the federal government. Federal government should have no business
regulating education and healthcare. States should not be sending money to Washington
DC for such projects. They should use the money to develop their own states. The federal
government’s constitutional business according to the founding fathers was to provide
security and protect the constitution. But they’re not doing that.” Ovide lamented.
According to him, NH is a right center state and Libertarian in orientation. “We don’t want
government running our lives”. Speaking on his conservative resume, Ovide was quick to
contrast it with those of Bill Binnie and Kelly Ayotte, his opponents in the race. He criticized
and questioned the conservatism of both, asserting “I’m the genuine conservative in this
race in NH. Nobody knows much about these other candidates’ conservative roots”, he
said. He continued, “Kelly Ayotte would have voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor for
Supreme Court. I would have voted against confirmation. She has a very little track record
of conservatism”.
Speaking of Bill Binnie’s own conservative resume, Ovide wondered why he should be
labeling himself a conservative when he made donations to Bill Bradley and Martha Fuller
Clark, former democratic presidential and congressional candidates respectively. Binnie
supports abortion and gay marriage.
“When you see his advertising, you think he’s a conservative. He is absolutely not. No
conservative donates to liberal politicians and liberal causes”. He said. “I’m pro life. I
oppose embryonic stem cell research. I am for the repeal of gay marriage in NH. I support
gun rights. I am the only genuine conservative in this race”. He said if he wins the
nomination he will offer a stark contrast between his position and that of Paul Hodes.
Ovide Lamontagne, a first generation native of NH, says the nation is in crisis and needs
people who are fundamentally true conservatives. People he said will go back to what the
founding fathers intended: balance the budget and reduce the national debt burden. He
also believes that one of the reasons why politicians get to Washington and ignore the
wishes of their constituents is because they move to live in Washington permanently.
“They stay down there too long they lose their perspective”. For him, he will want to set a
new standard and if elected will live in NH and commute to DC and back.
Ovide has a fine record of service in NH. He served as Chairman of NH State Board of
Education from 1993 to 1996. He was honored in 2009 as NH’s Distinguished Citizen of
the Year by the Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has served as
Chairman of St. Mary’s Bank, Director of Easter Seals NH and Manchester Crime Line.
This citizen has used his experience as a business lawyer to help create common sense
solutions for corporations, families and non-profits throughout NH for over 20 years. To
learn more about this candidate, visit the Lamontagne campaign website at www.
OVIDE2010 to see where he stands on the issues.
|
|
|
|
Comment on this this story
|
|
|
|
|
