Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will return to New Hampshire this week to stump for Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Smith.

Giuliani will be in Salem for a luncheon at Tuscan Kitchen at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The event is being hosted by Bruce Breton, Jennifer Horn, State Rep. Gary Azarian, Steve Lewis and A.J. Letizio, according to an email sent out Friday. The minimum contribution is $100 per person. Giuliani is also scheduled to attend a town hall meeting with Smith later in the day at the New Hampshire Institute for Politics in Manchester.

Giuliani was last in New Hampshire back in July of 2011, when he was still contemplating a run for the Republican presidential nomination. He spoke to the Seacoast Republican Women at a well attended event in Hampton.

Who wants ice cream!

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Maggie Hassan held her second ice cream social event in Manchester on Thursday. According to the campaign, more than 150 people attended. This follows an event held in Portsmouth last weekend.

She has similar events planned at the Marion Gerrish Community Center in Derry at 12:30 p.m. today and at the Richard W. Black Center in Hanover at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Hassan's education plan

Hassan also released the first part of her "Innovate NH" jobs plan last week, which calls for the state to reinvest in New Hampshire's public colleges and universities. In return, she said she will ask those schools to use those additional funds to freeze tuition and increase the number of slots available for New Hampshire students.

She also said she will bring business leaders and educators to the table to revise and strengthen the state's science and math standards for elementary and high school students and devise a curriculum that encourages more young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

“We need to increase the science, technology, engineering and math expertise in our workforce. That starts with making sure we have a rigorous – and engaging – STEM curriculum starting in elementary school, and with ensuring we have enough slots available for those students when they are ready for college,” Hassan said.

Hassan’s plan also focuses on making sure that the resources and innovative ideas of the higher education’s faculty and students are put to use helping to support businesses who invest in creating new technologies.

Cilley vs. Ovide

Hassan's opponent in the Democratic primary, Jackie Cilley, launched a website last week called JackievsOvide.com to illustrate the differences between her and Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Ovide Lamontagne.

The site includes quotes illustrating both of their stances on issues like worker's rights, health care, marriage equality and more.

"As voters grow more aware of the campaign, we want to make sure everyone has an easily accessible place on the web where Jackie's progressive and pro-business stands are contrasted with the extreme positions Ovide Lamontagne shares with Speaker O'Brien," said campaign manager, Liz Merry. "This gives us an easy reference guide to the differences – we can just tell people to 'visit JackievsOvide.com'."

Lamontagne wins GOP straw poll

Speaking of Lamontagne, he won the Strafford County Republican Committee's straw poll last weekend, taking 90 percent of the vote.

Lamontagne received 91 votes, compared to Kevin Smith's 10 votes.

"I am humbled by the support we received in Dover today,” Lamontagne said.  “Strafford County is critical territory in both a Republican primary and a general election and I am thankful to all those across the county who support our campaign and will be working with us throughout the summer and fall to bring real leadership to Concord."