[img_assist|nid=3422|title=John Stephen (R-Manchester) in Manchester|desc=Photo Credit: PolitickerNH.com|link=none|align=left|width=240|height=180]MANCHESTER-- Former New Hampshire Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen used a line from his father to rally supporters on Sunday, two days before voters head to the polls to choose the Republican nominee to challenge U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester).

"My father used to say a politician thinks of the next election and a statesman thinks about the next generation," Stephen said at Jillian's restaurant. "In your heart of hearts in this election you know who the politician is and who the statesman is. Let's win this election for the next generation."

Stephen's father, Bobby Stephen, is a former Manchester state senator and John Stephen has been using his father's line since he started running for the 1st Congressional District seat. Stephen is running against former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) in the Republican primary .

Stephen, taking another shot at Bradley, said Republicans must return to their "core values."

"We need to elect people that are going to represent the core values of this party," Stephen said. "When we don't abandon those principles we're in the majority."

Although he predicted victory, Stephen warned supporters: "We cannot be satisfied until we get over that finish line."