[img_assist|nid=1887|title=Paul LaFlamme files in the State House.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=250|height=188]CONCORD- State senate candidate Paul LaFlamme (R-Nashua) filed with the Secretary of State this morning.

LaFlamme is running for the Senate District 12 seat.

"I have been honored and humbled by the amount of support I have received," LaFlamme said. "People are coming forward and saying I'm the right candidate."

LaFlamme was endorsed by state Rep. Casey Crane (R-Nashua). Crane was rumored to be interested in running for the state senate.

"As soon as I heard Paul was running I knew we'd have a strong candidate running in the district who could win," Crane told PolitickerNH.com. "I also wanted to devote more time and effort to making sure Sen. Kenney is elected governor so we can end the spending spree of Governor Lynch."

LaFlamme was also joined by his parents and Nashua Aldermen Dave MacLaughlin and Mark Cookson.

Former State Rep. Sam Cataldo (R-Wakefield), state Sen. John Gallus, state Sen. Ted Gatsas (R-Manchester), state Sen. Jack Barnes (R-Raymond) and Laconia City Councilor Greg Knytych (R-Laconia) also filed for office.

Cataldo is running for the seat being abandoned by state Sen. Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield). He said that energy independence would be a main campaign theme.

"I'll be pushing for geothermal energy."[img_assist|nid=1888|title=Greg Knytych is a candidate for state senate.|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=250|height=188]

Knytych is running against state Sen. Kathie Sgambati (D-Tilton).

"I decided sometime ago I would run for the House but I was on the Mt. Washington cruise and decided that better fiscal restrait could be achieved in the Senate than the House," Knytych said.