MINNEAPOLIS--Former U.S. Rep. Chuck Douglas laid-out the keys to victory in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary next week.

Douglas, who has endorsed John Stephen (R-Manchester) and is a campaign vice-chair, said if a candidate wins certain parts of the district they are likely to win the primary.

"By working hard in Carroll County, Manchester and the Seacoast you gotta have a strong showing in those areas, if you do well in those areas the rest of the district will sorta fall in line," Douglas told PolitickerNH.com.

When asked about the fierce battle between Stephen and former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) Douglas said, "when you're in a primary you have to do contrast ads, but you can't cross the line."

Douglas then criticized Bradley's most recent television ad.

"What concerned me was when Jeb said John Stephen was under investigation, that's just not true," Douglas said. "Has head of the largest state department there were routine audits."

Douglas also called the primary "exciting."

"It's been an exciting race, John Stephen has the morals and principles and consistent message that Jeb doesn't have."