NASHUA — Before a standing-room-only-crowd, the state's three Democratic candidates for governor emphasized their stance on various issues on Monday, while criticizing their Republican opponents.

Former state senators Maggie Hassan and Jackie Cilley, along with former military man Bill Kennedy, participated in a debate at a packed Nashua City Hall, touting their own experiences and opinions they claim make them worthy for the governor's seat.

“We agree on probably 80 percent of the issues,” Kennedy said of the three Democratic candidates. “But I ask you to look at the other 20 percent.”

The income tax, argued Kennedy, is a viable option for providing a new revenue stream for New Hampshire. There will always be opposition to new taxes, but Kennedy said he believes there is a growing support for an income tax in the state.

Cilley says an income tax is a tool that deserves to be studied and discussed, while Hassan says the state's problems can be solved differently.

“We need to respect our middle class families and help them, and an income tax is not the way to do that,” said Hassan.

The candidates discussed the economy, education, jobs, health care and voter identification while also taking questions from the public.

Hassan was not hesitant to criticize two Republican candidates for governor, Ovide Lamontagne and Kevin Smith, saying they have sided with House Speaker Bill O'Brien and his “extreme agenda” that hurts middle class families.

If the Republicans prevail, Hassan claimed that they will repeal marriage equality, ban abortion, take over Medicare and raise health care costs for seniors.

“That is what is at stake in this election, and that is why I am running for governor,” said Hassan, an attorney and former state senate majority leader.

Cilley, a business woman and two-term state senator, said she is seeking the governor's office to turn around the economy and get New Hampshire moving in the right direction.

“There are other states that really understand what it takes to attract business,” said Cilley, adding the Granite State must be willing to invest in areas such as sound infrastructure and a healthy environment.

Cilley, who refuses to take special interest pledges, said New Hampshire has the third highest property taxes in the nation, maintaining that is not a way to fund government.

Kennedy, who served 29 years in the military, said he will not back down from an issue, and will talk from the heart.

New Hampshire has a limited revenue stream, and in a down economy, everyone wants a piece of the pie, according to Kennedy. Priorities such as education, jobs and children must be emphasized, and an income tax is a viable option with abatements available for the poverty-stricken, he said.

“We have to look at alternatives,” added Kennedy, stressing the state has one of the highest debt rates for students in the nation. “That, to me, is bordering on criminal.”

In Nashua, where the Board of Aldermen and mayor support bringing commuter and passenger rail back to New Hampshire, all three Democratic candidates said they also favor rail.

Kennedy said he would even support bringing rail as far north as Canada, possibly creating a Trans New Hampshire.

Both Hassan and Cilley agreed that a major step in getting rail approved would be for voters to reelect Debora Pignatelli as an executive councilor.

If elected as governor, Cilley said she will work with the next Legislature to seek commuter rail.

khoughton@newstote.com