Stephen focuses on economic issues

BEDFORD- Speaking before the Bedford Republican Committee, First Congressional District candidate John Stephen focused on discussing economic issues.

Stephen, the former Health and Human Services Secretary, is competing in the Republican against former Congressman Jeb Bradley.

"I'd love to see a flat tax, but I want to give Americans choice," Stephen said. "You want is going to happen if you go to a straight flat tax, you're going to have exception and exception and then what have you done?"

Last week, Bradley came out in support of a flat tax.

Stephen also said he would have wanted the recent economic stimulus package to include spending reductions.

"If I was in Congress at the time of the economic stimulus package I would have been demanding dollar-for-dollar spending cuts that matches the stimulus package, you want to send us help then match it with spending cuts."

Stephen also took a swipe at Congresswoman Shea-Porter's attempt to bring a full-service veteran's hospital to New Hampshire.

"I find it quite hypocritical that you can sit there and say you defend the veterans, but yet you pull-the-rug under them on the battlefield, by not supporting the funding that is necessary to get the job done."

Stephen and Bradley will face-off in a September primary to see who will run against Shea-Porter.