Ovide Lamontagne - Our Next Governor?

Many local residents, especially members of the Bedford Republican Committee, know Ovide Lamontagne on a first-name basis.

It's not unusual, afterall, to see the former U.S. Senate candidate sharing a laugh at a local event such as the BRC's annual summer family cookout in June.

Soon the rest of the state may have the opportunity to get to know Lamontagne as well.

He said Sunday he is exploring a possible run for governor, though he'll likely wait until after Labor Day to make a formal announcement.

Lamontagne, R-Manchester, told Patch after speaking at the Rye Republicans Town Committee's Family Fun Day at that he is currently "testing the waters" and has heard positive feedback from individuals with which he has spoken.

"It's not official yet, but I'm seriously considering it," said Lamontagne. "I'm putting calls out, and I need to get organized soon."

Lamontagne alluded to the possibility several times Sunday while talking in front of roughly 100 Republicans about the need for a "strong leader" in Concord and to "do the things we need to do to save this country."

Lamontagne said he'll make the announcement "sooner rather than later," and said the Labor Day announcement could be either the beginning of an exploratory committee or something more serious.

Lamontagne told Patch that he would plan to use a "classic grassroots campaign" with "heavy citizen involvement" if he did run for governor, a tactic he said he found was successful during his failed Senate bid.

He also described various things he would focus on first if elected, most of which are related to the budget.

"There needs to be more attention to restructuring the government to address budgetary concerns," said Lamontagne. "We need to look at different ways to deliver services... There are some very hard hit families and businesses, and the best way to do that is very important."

Lamontagne said he'd spend the next month or so "reaching out and talking with people" about the possibility. He said, though, that "if there is someone better suited" to run for governor that he would step aside and "let them run."

That doesn't include current Democratic Gov. John Lynch, though.

"Lynch doesn't deserve to run for reelection," said Lamontagne.

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