On September 19, 2011, Lamontagne announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican gubernatorial nomination at the Bedford Republican Breakfast at the Manchester Country Club, becoming the first candidate to throw a hat into the ring. On March 13, 2012, Lamontagne was endorsed by incumbent Congressman Charles Bass of the New Hampshire Second Congressional District. Lamontagne in turn endorsed Bass for reelection. Lamontagne's gubernatorial bid was endorsed by Judd Gregg on May 3, 2012. While Lamontagne won the Republican nomination for governor on September 11, 2012, he lost the general election by a margin of 55–43.
