MEDIA RELEASE                                            CONTACT: For Immediate Release                                           Greg Moore April 8, 2008                                            (603) 568-8159 (cell)
John Stephen Announces Seacoast Leadership Team
MANCHESTER, NH- 1st District Congressional candidate John Stephen today announced his Seacoast Leadership Team, a group of 100 officeholders, business and community leaders and activists who will work to elect Stephen to Congress.  The Team will direct efforts in the Seacoast region and build a grassroots organization to support the campaign's efforts.
            "The Seacoast has always been an important area for me both personally, with my grandparents coming from Gates Street in Portsmouth on the edge of Strawberry Banke, as well as professionally," said Stephen.  "Whether prosecuting a murder in Portsmouth, leading efforts to protect the bridges, ports and Seabrook power plant as Homeland Security Coordinator or working in the region to fight the spread of EEE while heading Health and Human Services, this region has always been a strong focus of mine.  That's why I am so grateful to receive the wonderful support from so many people from across the Seacoast."
"John Stephen has shown that he has the qualities to be a great Congressman," remarked former Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin.  "Right now, we need someone who can restore America's trust and credibility in Congress.  Throughout his career, John has brought integrity, effectiveness and hard work wherever he has gone.  He is the perfect antidote to what we see in Washington today, and we need him in there now more than ever."
"For Republicans to win the 1st District seat back, we need to send our strongest candidate against Carol Shea-Porter," added Wayne Semprini, former Republican state party chairman.  "John Stephen is the best person to bring back fiscal sanity and core New Hampshire values to Congress, without compromising his principles.  John has proven that he can deliver efficient, effective government, something we desperately need in Washington today.  That's why he has my unequivocal support."
"John has done an outstanding job everywhere he has gone throughout his career," stated former Safety Commissioner Richard Flynn.  "He knows about New Hampshire values because he has lived them his entire life.  At a time when people want change from Washington, John Stephen is one person who has proven that he can deliver it."
John Stephen is the former Commissioner of Health and Human Services.  Prior to that position, he served as the Assistant Commissioner of Safety, where he also served as the state's first Homeland Security Coordinator.  Stephen also served as a prosecutor for 10 years, in Hillsborough County and as an Assistant Attorney General.  He is a Manchester resident.
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