Democratic gubernatorial candidates Cinde Warmington and Joyce Craig began their days early by casting their votes and greeting voters in their home cities.

In their final push to win the Democratic nomination, the candidates intend to spend their days interacting with New Hampshire voters.

Warmington, a Concord resident, has served two terms as the Executive Council representative for District 2. The healthcare advocate and lawyer is the only Democrat on the council.

Craig, who lives in Manchester, served as mayor of her city for six years before campaigning for governor in the Democratic party. Prior to that, she served as a member of Manchester’s school board and alderman. 

They face off against each other and Jon Kiper, a former Newmarket town councilor and owner of the Newmarket restaurant Johnny Boston’s.

In Manchester’s Ward 1, Craig voted in Ward 1 at Webster elementary school at 7:30 a.m. before hitting the road to visit polling locations across New Hampshire.

“I have run marathons in the past. I ran 10 consecutive marathons, and there's a lot of training that goes into running a marathon. And for me right now, today, we just took a left on Boylston Street. So this is, this is the finish, and we're going to finish strong and hope for the best,” Craig said after casting her vote.

Warmington arrived early at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Concord. Her day will take her around the state to meet voters and thank campaign volunteers and supporters.

“We’ve been criss-crossing the state for over a year now talking to voters,” Warmington said. “We’re finally here and so excited to be looking at this next phase of leading our state forward. Just feeling great.”

Warmington expressed gratitude for the support she has received.

“These folks have had my back since day one,” Warmington said.

Craig felt optimistic about her chances Tuesday to push through to the general election.

“I believe that the governor and our state should be better at supporting our local communities when it comes to these statewide challenges and creating opportunities, quite frankly. And I've also been through very tough elections,” Craig said. “I beat a popular, four-term, incumbent Republican when I became mayor. And so I know what it takes to win tough elections.”

Elaine Bellows, 69, of Concord, held Warmington signs outside the Christa McAuliffe School Tuesday morning.

“Her experience and her good sense made me support her,” Bello said. “I feel comfortable knowing she’d do the right thing for us.”

Patricia Cornell, Craig’s treasurer and a Democratic state representative, said she thinks Craig has a better chance of beating Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte. 

“I think Cindy Warmington has served two terms on the Executive Council, coming from a very blue district where she hasn't really had to run hard against anybody, whereas Joyce defeated a four-term Republican very popular mayor,” Cornell said.

Jim Breen, a 68-year-old Navy veteran in Manchester’s Ward 11, explained why he voted for Craig over Warmington because of her past relationship with Purdue Pharma and her advocacy for the drug, OxyContin.

“Cindy Warmington seemed like a pretty decent person, but taking on all that fentanyl money, or Oxy(Contin) money, okay, that's what really killed it for me,” he said.

Warmington supporter Carlene Ruesenberg said she admires how Warmington has been able to forge relationships across ideological lines during her time on the Executive Council.

 “That work will serve her well as governor,” Ruesenberg said. “With these good relationships, she will be able to get going right out of the gate.”

State representative Al Turcotte of Allenstown said Warmington’s Executive Council experience made her a more attractive candidate.

“She already knows what’s going on in the State House. She was on the Executive Council, so she already knows the ropes,” Turcotte said. “She will fight for the different reasons we need and is not afraid to go into battle.”

Manchester resident Marty Mobley, 65, said she voted for Craig.

“I like that she has the experience of being an executive at that level and making those decisions, that she has done good for the police department and increasing that. I like her approach to the homeless problem and the affordable housing crisis,” said Mobley.

Warmington offered a final message to voters.

“Let’s just grab this opportunity to lead our state forward,” Warmington said. “We have the chance right now to really tackle this housing crisis, to protect reproductive freedom, to protect our public schools, it’s right there for the taking. Just get out there and vote.”

Both candidates said they hope to beat the Republican candidate for governor in November’s election.

“Obviously we hope to win but what’s going to come out of this election is a unified democratic party moving forward to take over the statehouse,” Warmington said.

Craig said Ayotte will not do what’s best for New Hampshire’s residents given her track record on issues such as reproductive rights, healthcare, gun laws and housing.

“I have always worked hard to address the challenges of residents in our state and I will continue to do that as Governor,” Craig said. “Kelly Ayotte has not and we cannot trust her to do that.”

Alex Rapp can be reached at arapp@cmonitor.com. Rachel Wachman can be reached at rwachman@cmonitor.com.