Former Portsmouth mayor Steve Marchand is entering the race for governor of New Hampshire.
Marchand, a Democrat, said in a media advisory Thursday morning that his campaign would focus on the state’s immigrant blue collar roots, combating the opiate epidemic, strengthening public education, and supporting communities’ infrastructure needs.
Marchand will hold a press availability on his gubernatorial bid at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Hope for NH Recovery Center in Manchester. Following the press event, he will tour the facility with members of the center and of Amber’s Place, a recovery center holding its grand opening tomorrow.
Marchand served as a city councilor in Portsmouth from 2004 to 2005, and served as mayor from 2006 to 2007. He did not run for reelection in 2007, instead opting to run for U.S. Senate. He later dropped his Senate bid and endorsed the eventual winner, Jeanne Shaheen.
Marchand is a former management department for local, county, and state government departments. More recently, he served as director of corporate relations for the University of New Hampshire. He is currently principal of his management consulting firm, SRM Consulting. He is also on the board of directors for the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. He was raised in Manchester and lives in Portsmouth with his wife and two young daughters.
Marchand is the third prominent state Democrat to enter the race for governor, joining Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern and investment firm owner Mark Connolly, the former director of the N.H. Bureau of Securities Regulation.
Several Republicans have declared their candidacy as well, including Executive Councilor Chris Sununu and Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas.
Gov. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, is challenging Sen. Kelly Ayotte for a seat on the U.S. Senate. The gubernatorial primaries take place on Sept. 13 and the general election is on Nov. 8.