Former Gov. Stephen E. Merrill won't seek the open U.S. Senate seat from New Hampshire next year, the Union Leader learned this morning. He joins former Sen. John E. Sununu in removing himself from a race created by incumbent Judd Gregg's decision not to seek reelection.

Merrill, who served as attorney general before succeeding Gregg as governor in the early 1990s, has told friends he will not run. He is currently of counsel with the Bingham business law firm of Boston.

Manchester attorney Ovide Lamontagne today told UnionLeader.com he is “seriously considering” a run for the Senate seat.

“It’s an opportunity to serve the people of New Hampshire. I do think that we need a different kind of leadership in Washington in the majority than we have presently,” Lamontagne said.

“We’ve given full control of Congress and the executive branch to Democrats. I don’t think the people of the United States realize the real, true direction the administration is taking us,” he added.

Lamontagne said he represents the values of fiscal responsibility and personal integrity that he believes people will be looking for in their candidates.

He said he has been discussing a possible candidacy with Republican leaders throughout the state and they have been supportive of a run.

“I still have to consider what this means for my family and my practice,” he added. He said he will make a final decision by the end of the summer.

Lamontagne has practiced law with Devine Millimet since 1986. He was the Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1996.

Sununu, considered by many the strongest Republican candidate to replace Gregg, said yesterday he will not seek any elected office in 2010.

Sununu, who lost his seat last year to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, said he has made several professional commitments, and a campaign would require great sacrifice from his family.

"After running in seven primary and general elections over 12 years, my family still means more to me than anything else. I very much intend to keep it that way," he said.

SUNUNU

Other Republicans are reported to be interested in the seat, among them New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, who has refused to comment on published reports that she is being encouraged to run by party leaders; BAE Systems executive Rich Ashooh; former congressman Charles Bass; and Nashua businessman Fred Tausch, who has been gaining name recognition through ads for his STEWARD political action group.

While itching to sign up supporters, such candidates constantly had to fend off questions about Sununu, said David Carney, a Republican strategist who has worked with Sununu but is not associated with any 2010 campaign. Yesterday's announcement puts those questions to rest.

"It's a liberating thing for most people contemplating running," Carney said. "This had to happen so people could go beyond their circle of family and friends."

By far, Sununu would have been the strongest candidate, given his access to national fundraisers, Carney said.

"I can't think of anyone they've got who could be comparable (to Sununu)," said state Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley. But Buckley said Sununu would have lost to Paul Hodes, the Second District congressman and likely Democratic nominee for Gregg's seat.

In April, a Granite State Poll found Sununu topping Hodes 46 percent to 41 percent. That is not a significant margin, and a new poll will be released today that shows the margin even closer, said Andrew Smith, director of the UNH Survey Center.

An American Research Group poll released this week showed Hodes in the lead by six points.

Like others, Smith said he was not surprised at Sununu's announcement.

"He just lost a race. Lining up another race that quickly takes a lot out of you. It's physically and mentally draining," Smith said. Now, the young man with a young family has the chance to make a lot of money.

Sununu sits on the boards of Time Warner Cable, Boston Scientific and ConvergEx Group. He is a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Earlier this month, he led an international delegation that monitored the Lebanese parliamentary elections. He also serves on the Middle East Working Group for the U.S. Institute of Peace. While Sununu maintains his residence in Waterville Valley, he never moved from Washington after his defeat last November.

Meanwhile, Gregg Senate spokesman Laena Fallon said Gregg will "move on and do something new" and definitely not run for reelection.

For those looking to fill Gregg's seat, it will be a summer of Republican county barbecues, testing their message, lining up supporters and seeking donations, Carney said.

"The candidates whose names are mentioned the most," he said, "are usually the first ones to drop out."