McCain campaigns for NH Senate candidate

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Sen. John McCain returned to New Hampshire to campaign for fellow Republican Kelly Ayotte, who is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Judd Gregg.

“He's a true American hero, a true leader of this country, and I am honored and humbled to have him here today,” said Ayotte.

McCain, who won New Hampshire's GOP presidential primaries in 2000 and 2008, held a town hall meeting with Ayotte in Nashua Saturday. The pair fielded several questions about President Barack Obama's health care overhaul legislation, with McCain arguing that it will burden future generations with considerable debt.

“She believes in law and order she understands fiscal responsibility and, frankly, we need someone like her,” McCain said.

McCain praised Ayotte's background as a former state attorney general and said she would be a strong successor to Gregg.

Others seeking the Republican nomination include Ovide Lamontagne, Jim Bender and Bill Binni. Rep. Paul Hodes is seeking the Democratic nomination.

“If I’m the next senator, I’m going to do town hall meetings to make sure what is on the voters’ minds here in New Hampshire. I think it's so important that you be in touch with your constituents,” said Ayotte.