Laconia's McLaughlin endorses Cilley for governor

LACONIA — Former New Hampshire Attorney General Phil McLaughlin on Monday announced his endorsement of Democrat Jackie Cilley's candidacy for governor. McLaughlin, who considered a run for the corner office earlier in the year, is practice law in Laconia.

"I am deeply honored by Phil McLaughlin's support of my candidacy," Cilley said in response to the endorsement. "Phil's reputation for integrity and outspokenness is something I value tremendously."

"Phil has a sound grasp of just how New Hampshire's government works and how it can be improved," she added. "We share a commitment to building a 21st Century New Hampshire through investments in those things that make our economy thrive — a first rate education for our young, a sound transportation and communication infrastructure and a clean environment. I am looking forward to his input into our campaign and policy development."

"There is nothing fancy about Jackie Cilley. She's a work horse, she's smart, and she's rooted in this State. She pledges nothing but straight talk, an open mind and a willingness to confront New Hampshire's future. Those are the qualities most needed in our next Governor and the reasons that I support her," said Mr. McLaughlin explaining his decision to support Cilley.

McLaughlin served as New Hampshire's attorney general from 1997 to 2002. This capped a career in public service that included time on Laconia's City Council and School Board, as a delegate to New Hampshire's constitutional convention and, from 1979 to 1981, as Belknap County Attorney. He also served as a Director of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation from 2004 to 2010 and as a member of the Legislative Study Commission on the New Hampshire Death Penalty.

Cilley, who served in both New Hampshire's House and Senate representing Barrington, built a successful business and taught more than 2500 New Hampshire students over her 20 years as a business professor with UNH's Whittemore School for Business and Economics. A Berlin native, Sen. Cilley earned a BA in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from the Whittemore School.