VIDEO: Hassan Speaks at Rockingham Park

Former state Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-Exeter) became the third gubernatorial candidate to appear at the 2012  Gubernatorial Speaker Series Tuesday night and spoke to about 50 people at the racetrack.

Hassan, who served in the state Senate from 2004 to 2010, decried the conservative tactics of the Republican candidates for governor and criticized Ovide Lamontange for saying he wanted to be like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "on steroids."

"We need to work as hard as we can to stop the Tea Party from getting the keys to the corner office," Hassan said.

Speaking to an issue on the minds of Salem voters, Hassan said she would support "a highly-regulated, high-end casino that can truly compete with those that will be built in Massachusetts," but said she wanted to see one that would "protect New Hampshire's brand."

The gubernatorial speakers series is sponsored by the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce, Rockingham Park and Area News Group. The next speaker will be Democratic candidate Bill Kennedy next Tuesday at 7 p.m.