BEDFORD — Republicans on Thursday were rallied by Republican gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne, who said he plans to focus on jobs, fiscal discipline, health care and school choice during his campaign in the next several weeks.

Lamontagne made his remarks at the GOP Unity Breakfast at the Manchester Country Club, and he called on the party faithful to unify behind his team that believes in how exceptional New Hampshire is and in restoring the New Hampshire advantage.”

Lamontagne was introduced by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal at the breakfast, where hundreds of Republicans gathered to celebrate primary wins and gear up for November's general election.

Speeches and letters from those unable to attend the event focused on defeating Democrats at the local and state levels, as well on making Barack Obama a one-term President.

House Speaker Bill O'Brien congratulated those Republicans who won their primaries.

“I see a winning team here,” he said.

O'Brien said there is a clear choice in November.

“Do you want a state government that is accountable, that respects hard-working taxpayers, or do you want a rogue bureaucracy that offers a series of excuses?” he said.

O'Brien criticized the record of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Maggie Hassan and told the audience that everything from coffee to camping to fishing has been taxed by Democrats.

“If you leave home in the morning, Maggie and her Democrat friends are going to find a way to tax it,” O'Brien said.

Lamontagne, who will square off against Hassan in the Nov. 6 general election, was introduced by Jindal, who said changes he made in his own state parallel those Lamontagne wants to see in New Hampshire, including a reduction in spending, increased job training and school choice.

“I am up here because I think it's important to elect a Republican governor,” Jindal said. “I am so excited we are now united by your next governor of this great state.”

Jindal highlighted five issues on Lamontagne's conservative agenda that he said will get New Hampshire back on the right path.

Jindal said Lamontagne's commitment to rejecting new taxes, creating tax reforms, making tax codes less complicated, establishing a competitive workforce and taking advantage of national resources for energy were a contrast to the Democratic agenda.

Jindal said President Obama has done his best, but America can do better.

Lamontagne said in the days since the state primary, attack ads from Hassan's campaign have already begun, with an ad that referred to him as “the Tea Party favorite.”

“What she doesn't know is referring to the Tea Party is indeed a dog whistle to all the taxpayers in this state who say, 'You've taxed us enough,'” he said.

Lamontagne said Hassan's past record provides a glimpse of how she will govern the state.

“All we need is a rear-view mirror to see what kind of disaster she would be as governor of New Hampshire,” he said.

Lamontagne said his focus in the election will be about issues such as jobs, fiscal discipline, health care and school choice.

Republicans were urged to unite as a party to prepare for the tough weeks ahead.

“We've had some failures and successes as a party,” Lamontagne said. “But this is the time, not just for the party, but for the citizens of New Hampshire, to unify behind one team that believes in what is exceptional about New Hampshire, that believes in restoring the New Hampshire advantage.”

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Kathy Remillard may be reached at kremillard@newstote.com.