Jackie Cilley to Challenge Maggie Hassan

Exeter's Maggie Hassan has her first challenger for the Democratic nomination in this year's race for governor.

Jackie Cilley, a former state senator from Barrington, will officially announce her candidacy next week. Hassan is the only Democrat to have announced a run for governor so far.

Cilley will make the announcement at the Manchester YWCA on Tuesday.

In a statement, her campaign said she will focus her efforts on "securing for future generations the opportunities that made the success of this generation of New Hampshire's families possible." That when she announced her run for governor last year.

Cilley also served as a state representative and taught business at the University of New Hampshire.

On the GOP side, frequent political candidate Ovide Lamontagne is going up against Kevin Smith, the former head of the Cornerstone organization. North Hampton's Steve Kenda is also .

The Primary is Sept. 11. The election is Nov. 6.