Too much spending and too much debt were on the minds of the state's four Republican candidates for U.S. Senate yesterday when they spoke to a turkey luncheon of Republicans about economic issues.

The four candidates, Kelly Ayotte, Jim Bender, Bill Binnie and Ovide Lamontagne sounded similar themes during compressed stump speeches at a Franklin event on economic issues. All four criticized the president and U.S. Congress for spending too much taxpayer money, increasing the national debt and seeking to expand the reach of the federal government.

"Say no," said Lamontagne, an attorney and former Republican candidate for governor, to applause. "Enough is enough."

The candidates are vying to replace Sen. Judd Gregg, who plans to retire from the Senate at the end of his term. Rep. Paul Hodes will be the winner's Democratic opponent.

Yesterday's lunch, hosted by the Steward organization, was the first event to feature all four candidates, who have been quietly making their rounds at Republican events in the state. There was little difference in the substance of their speeches, which focused on lowering taxes, slashing spending and bringing fresh faces to Washington. On that last point, all four could point to themselves. Only Lamontagne has contested a statewide race before. Ayotte, Binder and Binnie are political newcomers.

Many of their policy ideas became familiar by the end of the event: Institute a presidential line-item veto, require Congress to balance the federal budget, and cut back on regulations hindering small business. But the four distinguished themselves primarily with their biographies as they introduced themselves to a crowd just getting acquainted with the field.

Ayotte, the former attorney general, talked about her family's history, describing her husband's history as a combat veteran and an entrepreneur.

"We have an ordinary, middle-class family," she said, recalling mornings where she woke before dawn to help her husband plow driveways before leaving for work at the attorney general's office.

Binnie, the son of immigrants, paid his way through college before making millions as an entrepreneur.

"I'm not a politician, I'm a businessman," he told the crowd of nearly 150. "That's really how I think about it."

Lamontagne, who described himself as the "son of farmers, mill workers and dentists," joked that his name - with too many vowels - has been a political liability.

"Most candidates for office worry about name recognition," he said. "I worry about name pronunciation."

Bender, the president of the Nashua-based Logicraft, took the stage in front of giant charts of economic indicators he described as worrisome. Like Binney, he described himself as a businessman with personal experience creating jobs.

"Jobs are created by private business," he said.

Political analysts generally point to Ayotte as the one to beat. She's received the most Republican establishment support - including the endorsement of the man whose seat she's hoping to fill. But the outcome of the primary is far from certain, said Dante Scala, a professor of political science at UNH.

"She's a rookie candidate," he said. "It's difficult running for U.S. Senate, and she's never really run for anything before. There will inevitably be some bumps in the road."

Lamontagne has the advantage of political experience, and both Bender and Binnie have the benefit of personal fortunes to help bankroll their campaigns and boost their limited name recognition - though it is still uncertain how much they are willing to spend.

But with nearly a year until the November primary, the race still seemed wide open to several voters at yesterday's event, who said they want to take their time selecting their candidate.

"It was excellent representation from all four people," said Brian Gallagher of Sanbornton. "It's a shame they're all running in the same primary." (next page »)