DENVER-U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) says a Republican primary in her district demonstrates disunity among the Republican Party.

"I think what it does highlight is disarray in the party and the tone it sets," Shea-Porter told PolitickerNH.com ."I've always called for civility among candidates and so I'm not going to get involved in that."

Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) and former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen (R-Manchester) are competing against one another in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary.

The freshman congresswoman also defended Congress taking their annual August recess.

"Nobody in New Hampshire believes that, they see me working and they know about the district work month," Shea-Porter told PolitickerNH.com. "People in New Hampshire are too smart to believe that."

Earlier this month Republicans criticized Shea-Porter for voting to take the month-long break, which is officially used an opportunity for Congress members to work on constituency services.

Shea-Porter added that she has always been focused on promoting policies that she says would help middle-class families.

 "I was talking about the middle-class in 2006 before it was cool," Shea-Porter said. "I've kept that in my mind."