NEW CASTLE — There was not much debate between the two main Republican Gubernatorial candidates during the Seacoast Republican Women's debate at the recreation center on Thursday evening.

About 100 people turned out to hear Ovide M. Lamontagne and Kevin H. Smith discuss their positions on a variety of issues, seven weeks before voters take to the polls in the primary.

State Senator Nancy Stiles of Hampton moderated the debate.

Both candidates said improving the business climate and the job prospects in the state are their top priorities.

Both candidates also said they feel a Constitutional amendment is needed to reverse the Claremont education funding decision.

Smith said his education reform plan just starts with a funding amendment, continues with reforming teacher tenure and with furthering school choice.

Smith said he is running his campaign on improving the environment for business.

He said as governor he would lower the state's business taxes, lower health care costs and retain more young people through formalized partnerships with businesses and schools.

He said it is not state government that creates jobs, but state government creates the climate for good jobs to be created.

Lamontagne said implementation of Obamacare has to be fought every step of the way.

“The best thing we can do in New Hampshire is elect Mitt Romney so we can reverse this Obamacare and not have to deal with it in New Hampshire,” Lamontagne said.

Bill Cronin of New Castle said he liked what he heard from both candidates but is leaning toward Lamontagne because of his experience.

Lamontagne touted that experience during the debate.

Smith highlighted his time serving as an aide to former Gov. Craig Benson and his time as an assistant director in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Both candidates said they are opposed to a broad-based tax, either income or sales, but differed a bit on their take on budgeting.

Smith said his approach to budgeting would be performance-metrics based, as opposed to Lamontagne's proposed “zero-based” budgeting approach.

The candidates also differed slightly on the issue of expanded gaming in the state.

Lamontagne said he does not believe expanded gaming is consistent with New Hampshire's quality of life, but said he would support expanded gaming at Rockingham Park in Salem with restrictions.

Smith said he would supported a limited plan for expanded gaming that would see the state put forward two licenses for bid.

Both said they would support a right-to-work bill, oppose increasing highway tolls, support school choice and can sing the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Smith said there are certainly more differences between himself and his Democrat opponents.

“The differences between Ovide and myself are probably more subtle,” Smith said.

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Gretyl Macalaster may be reached at gmacalaster@newstote.com.