On Monday, a grateful and gracious Shea-Porter received the endorsement of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire and came to the Lake City to meet with local firefighters and thank them personally.

"You guys are terrific," Shea-Porter said to the small assembly at the Soda Shoppe in downtown Laconia.

"She advocates for the middle class and she's been a strong supporter," said local President Lt. Chris Shipp in his introduction.

Shea-Porter serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee — assignments Shipp said makes her ideally suited to serve New Hampshire.

"She helps our veterans, our children and labor," said Shipp.

Greeting Shea-Porter at the luncheon were Mayor Matthew Lahey, Fire Chief Ken Erickson, Ward 3 City Councilor Henry Lipman, State Representative and school board member Beth Arsenault, Ben Arsenault, a Democratic candidate for the state house, and some area firefighters.

"New Hampshire has the best firefighters in the country and I'm proud to receive their endorsement," said Shea-Porter. "Their dedication, sacrifice and work ethic is truly inspiring."

The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire is a state association chartered by the International Association of Fire Fighters and represents 39 local unions including Laconia, Bristol, Tilton-Northfield, Gilford and Wolfeboro.

The union has also thrown its support behind incumbent State Sen. Kathy Sgambati, a Tilton Democrat facing Laconia's Greg Knytych for reelection.