Local School Board Chairman May Run for Congress

Dover School Board Chairman Rocky D'Andrea is considering a run for the 1st District Congressional seat now held by Carol Shea-Porter.

D'Andrea, a Republican, is speaking with close friends and supporters and will make a decision shortly, according to a source close to the campaign.

"Rocky has wide appeal and the potential to unite the New Hampshire Republican Party behind a hard working, honest, self-made, family man," the source said. "Rocky reflects the constituency in the First CD. He is the working class Republican."

D'Andrea has lived in Dover for 16 years. He was elected to the School Board in 2012 and was almost immediately elected chairman. He is a vice president with Citizens Financial Group and has been very involved with the Dover Moose Lodge.

Other Republicans said to be considering a run include former Congressman Frank Guinta of Manchester and Dan Innis of Portsmouth, dean of the University of New Hampshire business school and owner of the Ale House Inn.

Shea-Porter, a Democrat from Rochester, beat out Guinta in the 2012 election to take back the seat she lost to him in 2010. Guinta has said he expects to announce in September whether he'll run again.