Portsmouth's Dan Innis Running for Congress

Portsmouth's Dan Innis, a University of New Hampshire dean who owns the Ale House Inn on Bow Street, will run for Congress.

Innis made the announcement in a YouTube video posted Tuesday night. He also launched a campaign website.

Innis, a Republican, will run for the 1st District Congressional seat now held by Carol Shea-Porter.

Frank Guinta is the only other GOP candidate to announce a run for Shea-Porter's seat so far.

Innis is gay and married. He has three children. Last year, he spoke out against a repeal of New Hampshire's same-sex marriage law.

Innis recently announced his resignation as dean of the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics at UNH.

"I am running for Congress to give New Hampshire a stronger voice in Washington on the things that really matter to us," Innis said in his announcement video. "Things like smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom."

"The federal government has to be put in its place," he said. "Washington is racking up trillions in new debt and pursuing a disastrous government takeover of health care that directly attacks small businesses, families, and seniors.

"The NSA is spying on average citizens like us and the IRS is on a political witch hunt. President Obama is far too eager to send American troops abroad without a clear national security goal."

He continued, "We are the 'Live Free or Die' state, and that can't just be a slogan. It's a part of who we are. And it's time for Washington to listen to us."