A Republican candidate for Hillsborough County sheriff said he won't withdraw from the race, despite controversial comments he made about using deadly force against abortion doctors.

Frank Szabo of Goffstown said that, although he has been urged to step down by some leaders in the New Hampshire Republican Party, he is continuing with his campaign.

“I did not start this campaign for political gain or to join the status quo,” Szabo said in a statement.

Szabo said he would “absolutely” not rule out using deadly force to stop an abortion, and that he would “use the Hillsborough County sheriff's office to arrest abortion doctors for murdering innocent life.”

He later apologized for and retracted those comments, saying he didn't understand the meaning of the question asked.

“I want to be clear to the people of New Hampshire that I made several comments about the use of deadly force against abortion doctors that I regret, that I apologize for and that I fully retract,” Szabo said in a statement.

“When I'm wrong, I admit it. I took full responsibility for how I was portrayed,” he said, adding that he considers himself to be a statesman rather than a politician.

Szabo's position that abortion providers should be arrested has been a plank in his campaign from the beginning.

In what he called a position paper that got circulated to various outlets via email on Aug. 9, Szabo said, “The County Sheriff is duty-bound and fully authorized to protect the Citizens, their property and their Rights. That includes all Citizens. A Citizen's Rights are Natural Rights and unalienable simply by virtue of the Citizen being alive. Life begins at conception.

“Abortion on demand is murder. Once elected, Sheriff Szabo will arrest anyone involved in the murder of a Citizen of Hillsborough County.”

Szabo, who has no law enforcement experience, said the county sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, and is duty-bound and fully authorized to ensure that all governmental actions in the county are lawful and constitutional.

“With the escalation of the erosion of our rights, citizens need a public official, with authority, who can stand up for them and protect their rights – from any unlawful action,” he added.

Szabo said he'd heard some GOP leaders were calling for him to drop out of the race against incumbent Sheriff James Hardy and Democrat Bill Barry, but only one contacted him.

“This is not about party allegiance. This is about basic American principles,” he said.

Szabo said calls for his withdrawal have only brought new energy to his campaign.

Barry said Szabo's comments were uncalled for.

“I just think it's unfair for someone to say that he'll arrest someone for doing something that's legal,” he said, and added that the office is not a platform for social issues.

“The good thing about running for sheriff is that it's not about social issues, it's about law,” said Barry.

Barry said his 27-year record in law enforcement, most recently as a part-time officer in Auburn, will prepare him for the job.

“I think you definitely need law enforcement experience,” he said. “You're dealing with criminals; you need to know everything about it.”

Hardy said Szabo's comments were “recklessly inappropriate” and had the potential to cause violence.

“I just think he's trying to substitute his views and opinions for New Hampshire law,” Hardy said. “Remarks like that can incite violence.”

Hardy, who has held the office of Hillsborough County sheriff for the past 10 years, said his 33 years of experience in law enforcement make him the strongest candidate.

“I'm the only candidate in the race, Republican or Democrat, that has proven leadership experience,” Hardy said. “The county sheriff is not an entry-level position.”

Hardy would not comment on whether or not Szabo's remarks would hurt his campaign.

“I'm going to let the voters decide that,” he said.