Cilley: Ovide Will Be 'Easy to Beat' in November

Jackie Cilley's admitted her grandfather will "never make the history books," although the gubernatorial candidate said the way the "bear of a man" lived his life is why a change in state leadership is needed to protect all Granite State citizens.

Cilley, a Democratic former state representative running for governor, said her grandfather always had a "real pride in his voice" after a long day of mill work, and she said New Hampshire needs to elect a leader that will protect hard workers like her grandfather because GOP members of the State House aren't.

"I think of him a lot because of what they're doing in the Legislature is harming so many groups — first and foremost is our workers," said Cilley, who also said she isn't in favor of an income tax. "They can't seem to lobby enough attacks against our workers."

Roughly 30 people filled the Lane Room at Tuesday night for Cilley's visit, which preceded a Hampton Democrats meeting.

Several town officials and active residents were in attendance, including Selectman Mike Pierce, Hampton Budget Committee member Mark McFarlin, former Winnacunnet School Board Vice Chairman Dick Goodman, former Winnacunnet Budget Committee member Vic DeMarco, and others.

, a Barrington resident, often took jabs at members of the free state and tea party movements during her speech, which focused heavily on jobs, workers, education, and rights like contraception and marriage equality.

Cilley claimed Tuesday that the anti-government views shared by free staters and tea partiers only eliminate those rights and are "harming us" rather than leading the Granite State through an economic downturn. Cilley said that has "brought out the fight" in her, and she said the public needs more candidates in all branches of government that will work to protect the things New Hampshire residents hold dear.

"These are people that would have us looking like Somalia," said Cilley, a Berlin native. "They don't believe in government."

Audience members had a chance to ask Cilley several questions after her speech. Among the inquiries was one from Hampton Democrats Chairman Chris Muns about what it will take to defeat in November.

Cilley said matter-of-factly that Lamontagne will be "easy to beat" because he has "tied himself forever to a failed agenda and a discredited leadership" with his tea party involvement.

Residents need to "stand up," according to Cilley, and call for the rights she claims individuals within that party won't support, otherwise she said New Hampshire is "rolling over" on its belief system. Cilley said she wholeheartedly believes in that belief system, and she said that will set her apart come November.

"If we give the public a real choice, it's amazing how often they choose right — or left, in this case," said Cilley.