DERRY — Republican congressional candidate John Stephen knows the price of gas is hurting most families, which is why he agrees with President Bush's decision yesterday to lift the executive ban on offshore oil drilling.

"The immediate answer and response is going to be lower the gas prices," he said. "OPEC will immediately put more supply in the market."

While that's happening, Stephen said the country can focus on developing alternative energy sources, and become the biggest energy exporter in the world within 10 years.

During an editorial board meeting at The Eagle-Tribune yesterday, Stephen, 45, said he will stay true to New Hampshire values, no matter who the future president is.

"It's not about the party, it's about the values," he said. "I never once asked my (Health and Human Services) staff if they were Republican, Democrat or independent, it didn't matter. ... At the end of the day, we're going to do what's right."

Stephen, of Manchester, is one of four Republican candidates hoping to oust Democratic Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter from her seat.

In 2006, Shea-Porter became the first Democrat in more than a decade to earn the District 1 seat, which includes the towns of Derry and Londonderry. She beat former Congressman Jeb Bradley.

Stephen said Bradley shouldn't get the chance to go up against her again.

"I believe strongly Jeb Bradley had his chance," Stephen said. "He lost to Carol Shea-Porter because he is not a fiscal conservative. Jeb Bradley does not represent New Hampshire values. ... He never once stood up to the administration on spending."

Stephen touts his record at the state Department of Health and Human Services, where he most recently was commissioner, as proof that he can spend responsibly. During his four-year tenure, he said, the department went from a projected $3 million deficit to a surplus of $143 million, which was returned to the general fund.

Stephen said he managed to do that by accomplishing specific goals, such as limiting the number of senior citizens who were in nursing homes instead of receiving home care. He said when he took office, 5,000 seniors were in nursing homes, but when he left there were only 4,200 despite the state's aging population.

Stephen has strong opinions on terrorism. While he said he would not commit to a timetable for troop withdrawal in Iraq, he said there needs to be more focus on Afghanistan and he does believe Iran is a nuclear threat.

"I'm a strong supporter in what our troops are doing," he said. "I believe they're showing clear victory in Iraq."

Stephen and Bradley are in a Republican primary battle with Geoff Michael of Merrimack and Dave Jarvis of Hooksett.