EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the next in a series of stories examining the candidates running for major office in the Nov. 2 general election. For more information on all candidates, check The Telegraph’s online voter guide at nashuatelegraph.com/elections.

Residing in Bedford and lack of political experience may be about the only similarities between the two candidates running for state Senate in District 9.

But Ray White, the Republican in the race, thinks that’s the best case scenario voters –they are offered a true choice.

“We have differing philosophies and we are both open and honest about them,” said White, referring to his opponent, Democrat Bob Jones. “We offer a stark contrast in what we feel the role of government is. I’m a conservative who believes in the limited role of government.”

Jones, 64, is a retired engineer who believes one role of the government is to provide programs that help those who are in need, especially in the wake of the recession. New Hampshire is in good shape financially, when compared to other states, he said. It has one of the highest per capita incomes in the state, but one of the lowest tax rates, he said.

While promoting fiscal responsibility, Jones said simply cutting spending and programs is not the answer.

“Having to cut spending means throwing more people out of work and eliminating the programs of support for people who lost their jobs,” he said “But clearly we have to eliminate any kind of waste. I’m not saying there isn’t something out there that can’t be trimmed.”

On social issues, Jones supports gay marriage and a woman’s right to choose. White is clear about his belief in “traditional family values.” He would not have supported gay marriage, he is pro-life and believes in parental notification.

Senate District 9 represents Bedford, Greenfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Mont Vernon and New Boston. It is the most Republican of the state’s 24 Senate districts. The seat was previously held by Sheila Roberge, who is retiring at the end of her term.

White, 51, is president of Cornerstone Benefit & Retirement Group Inc. Like Jones, this would be White’s first elected office, but he is no stranger to being in the public eye. White was publisher of the now-defunct NH Family Watch, which focused on conservative and political issues. White was also executive director of the New Hampshire Christian Coalition.

There is scant information about NH Family Watch on the Internet, aside from an article White authored in 1996 titled “N.H. Girl Scouts Squelch Leader for Blowing Whistle On Radical Fem Agenda.”

The article focuses on the case of Georg-Anne Duval, who the article states was terminated by New Hampshire’s Swiftwater Girl Scout Council “for speaking out about the liberal feminist agenda apparently being promoted throughout much of the Girl Scout organization, locally and nationally.” The article states Duval was ousted for speaking out against a Girl Scout philosophy “heavily bent toward atheism, lesbianism, abortion, and birth control.” In the article, White injects some of his own opinion, at one point writing that Girls Scouts USA material he reviewed had a “militant feminist stamp all over it.”

“What are the Girls Scouts trying to hide? They claim a goal of asking people to ‘… Join with us as we change the world one girl at a time …,’ but one must apparently not dare to ask ‘change it into what?’ White concluded. “Think about that the next time you consider buying some of their cookies.”

White stood by the basis for the story.

“I don’t think she should have been kicked out because of her religious beliefs. And I do feel that the organization was at odds with some of its stated values,” White said.

White said his primary focus for the election is being an advocate for small businesses. Over the past four or five years, White said there has been an explosion in regulation on small businesses in the form of fees and taxes. For example, White said increasing the meals and rooms tax to 9 percent has hit the hospitality and restaurant industries hard.

“The way to unshackle those small businesses is to get out of the way let them do what they do with only enough regulation and oversight to make sure the public is safe,” he said.

White is also critical of what he calls a “spending problem” in Concord. There are too many departments and too many redundant services, he said. White has also advocated for “the elimination of all social, medical and educational funding and programs.”

Jones has run twice for state representative, but was unsuccessful. He has been involved with issues focusing on the environment and education at the local level. He is chairman of the Bedford Land Trust and vice chair of the Bedford Democrats. Jones said the Bow power plant needs to be phased out and the workers transitioned to green energy jobs.

“We need to transition to green energy and green economy,” he said.

Because of the Republican base in District 9, Jones knows that he’s fighting an uphill battle. But he said a divisive Republican primary gives him a chance.

“I feel that I’m the moderate in the race,” he said.

Michael Brindley can be reached at 594-6426 or mbrindley@nashuatelegraph.com.