CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Former Gov. Craig Benson said Wednesday he enjoys being out of government but when he was asked whether he would seek public office again, he replied, “Never say never.”

In an interview on New England Cable News, the conservative Republican entrepreneur said he enjoys teaching at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., his alma mater, and said Gov. John Lynch, the Democrat who defeated him last November “is working hard.”

Benson was defeated by Lynch 51 percent to 49 percent last November. Benson’s loss was only the second time in 78 years an incumbent was denied a second term.

Benson, 51, of Rye, founder of Cabletron Systems, said several Republicans would make good gubernatorial candidates, but mentioned no names, adding that some of those politicians might be discouraged from running because campaigns are expensive.

Benson, who bankrolled his gubernatorial campaigns, said four-year terms would make it easier for governors to govern and run for re-election, but added that it would be hard to change the state constitution to move from two-year terms.

He defended his record as governor, pointing to an $82 million budget surplus and the state’s high ratings in livability, health, education and low tax burdens during his tenure.

During his term Benson was criticized, sometimes by fellow Republicans, for his take-it-or-leave style of governing.

“I’m proud of my accomplishments,” he said, adding that being governor was “not like a career I wanted to engage in for a long time.”

He said the challenge of New Hampshire government is to “grow the budgets at the same rate of inflation or less. Otherwise its costs people more and more.”

He also defended the parental abortion notification law enacted during his term.

The law requires that parents be notified before a minor girl receives an abortion. The law was overturned by lower courts because it doesn’t have an exception to protect a young woman’s health and is to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 30.

“A state doesn’t know as much about a child as does a parent,” Benson said.

AP-ES-11-16-05 2123EST