Differences between Maggie Hassan and Ovide Lamontagne
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Maggie Hassan and Ovide Lamontagne[edit]
Maggie Hassan and Ovide Lamontagne were the primary contenders in the 2012 New Hampshire gubernatorial election. Hassan, a Democrat and former majority leader of the New Hampshire State Senate, defeated Lamontagne, a Republican lawyer who had previously been his party's nominee for governor in 1996 and a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010.[1] The campaign centered on divergent approaches to state fiscal policy, healthcare, and social issues.
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Maggie Hassan | Ovide Lamontagne |
|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Professional Background | Attorney; State Senator | Attorney; NH State Board of Education Chair |
| Healthcare Policy | Supported Medicaid expansion under the ACA | Opposed ACA; favored private-market solutions |
| Right-to-Work | Opposed; vetoed similar legislation in the Senate | Supported; advocated for its passage in NH |
| Reproductive Rights | Pro-choice; supported state funding for Planned Parenthood | Pro-life; opposed state funding for abortion providers |
| Education Philosophy | Favored increased state aid to public schools | Supported school choice and "education freedom" scholarships |
| Tax Policy | Opposed a broad-based sales or income tax | Favored business tax cuts to stimulate growth |
Political career and background[edit]
Maggie Hassan entered New Hampshire politics after being appointed to the New Hampshire Education Funding Commission by Governor Jeanne Shaheen in 1999. Her involvement was prompted by her advocacy for her son, Ben, who has cerebral palsy.[2] She served three terms in the State Senate before her gubernatorial run.
Ovide Lamontagne established himself as a prominent legal figure in Manchester, serving as chairman of the New Hampshire State Board of Education under Governor Stephen Merrill. Lamontagne was closely associated with the conservative wing of the Republican party, gaining the endorsement of the New Hampshire Union Leader and tea party-affiliated groups during his 2010 and 2012 campaigns.[3]
Fiscal and social policy[edit]
The 2012 gubernatorial race highlighted sharp differences regarding the role of state government. Hassan campaigned on a platform of "fiscal responsibility" that included vetoing a state budget she believed underfunded essential services. She emphasized the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, specifically advocating for a bipartisan plan to expand Medicaid to approximately 50,000 low-income residents.[4]
Lamontagne focused his campaign on reducing the size of state government and promoting "Common Sense Legal Reform." He argued that Medicaid expansion would create long-term debt for the state and preferred a system that moved participants toward private insurance. On labor issues, Lamontagne supported "right-to-work" legislation, which would prohibit unions from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition of employment. Hassan opposed such measures, arguing they would weaken collective bargaining and lower wages.[5]
On social issues, the candidates maintained strictly partisan positions. Hassan received support from Emily’s List and Planned Parenthood for her defense of reproductive rights. Lamontagne, a devout Catholic, ran on a pro-life platform and was critical of state contracts with organizations that provided abortion services.
References[edit]
- ↑ Seelye, Katharine Q. "Hassan Wins New Hampshire Governor’s Race." The New York Times. November 6, 2012.
- ↑ Landrigan, Kevin. "Hassan's path to the Corner Office." The Nashua Telegraph. November 11, 2012.
- ↑ Fahey, Tom. "Lamontagne wins GOP nod for NH governor." New Hampshire Union Leader. September 12, 2012.
- ↑ Associated Press. "NH Gov. Hassan signs Medicaid expansion bill." March 27, 2014.
- ↑ Ramer, Holly. "Differences on labor, health care define NH race." Deseret News. October 21, 2012.
