It's officially a race.

Democrat Maggie Hassan announced in Manchester today that she is running for governor. Hassan, of Exeter, is up against Republican Ovide Lamontagne, the only other candidate to announce a gubernatorial bid so far.

Click to the right under "VIDEOS" to watch her announcement.

Hassan said her campaign will focus on the following objectives:

• Investing in job/education training
• Reject a sales/income tax
• Maintaining programs that help families
• Reversing the "backward" policies of Republican lawmakers

Hassan came out swinging against House Speaker William O'Brien, R-Mont Vernon, claiming he is an "extremist" who has led efforts to "demonize" public employees, among other things.

Hassan also referred to Lamontagne as an extremist, arguing he would be part of an ongoing effort by Republicans to roll back progress in the Granite State.

Hassan served three terms in the Senate, including one as a majority leader. She lost her reelection bid last year in a Republican wave. Since then, Hassan has stayed active in the political scene. She was appointed by Gov. John Lynch as the at-large member of the public on a Senate committee seeking ways to contain health care costs.

Lynch earlier this year announced he would not seek re-election to a fifth term.