Top 5 Quotes from Governor's Debate

The gubernatorial hopefuls debated again Oct. 18 at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Here are five of their top quotes:

Ovide Lamontagne:

1) "School choice is the wave of the future." – Lamontagne, saying the state should do everything it can to support it.

2) "The creative economy is an important sector in our economy." – Lamontagne, noting he would veto any bill that aimed to eliminate the state Department of Cultural Resources.

3) "I've never had to change my position on this–Maggie has." – Lamontagne, in his closing statement, on a stand against a state income tax being part of his "DNA."

4) "I've worked with strong women all my life." – Lamontagne, noting his law firm leaders, and his wife, Bettie. (And their 23-year-old daughter, Brittany, who is off to boot camp Monday for NH Army National Guard).

5) "Infrastructure is critically important." – Lamontagne, saying New Hampshire needs a comprehensive economic development plan, and should continue to use GARVEE bonds to fund the completion of the I-93 widening from Manchester to the Massachusetts border.

Maggie Hassan

1) "He's making promises without telling you how he's going to pay for them." – Hassan, in rebuttal on the economy and opponent's agenda.

2) "Women can promote themselves just fine." – Hassan, responding to a moderator's question on equality and women leadership in New Hampshire.

3) "I don't think he's being entirely straight-forward here." – Hassan, responding to a comment on this Legislature's priorities and accomplishments.

4) "Think of the potential for our economy." – Hassan, regarding passenger rail to Nashua and Manchester.

5) "Relying on GARVEE bonds to fill that hole ... makes no sense to me." – Hassan, on the repayment of those bonds, adding that use of gasoline taxes is not a good option.

– Dan Tuohy

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