Businessman and military veteran Chris Bright is the first Republican to announce his candidacy in New Hampshire’s open First Congressional District race.

“Congress is full of people who point fingers, push blame, seek power and chase headlines,” Bright said in a statement. “That doesn’t fix the border, balance the budget, or rebuild our economy. It’s time to send someone to Washington who knows how to solve real problems and isn’t afraid to take the heat to stand up and serve the interests of Granite Staters and the American people.”

Bright, 49, is a West Point graduate and Army paratrooper who served in Bosnia and Kosovo. Today, he’s the CEO of American Facilities Professionals, which he describes as “a company that operates in all 50 states, employing hundreds of workers, and is estimated to be valued at a quarter of a billion dollars.”

In 2024, Bright finished fourth in the NH-01 GOP primary, running on a message of avoiding divisive politics and extremism, a theme he echoed again on Tuesday.

“People are tired of the shouting. They want someone who will stand firm on principle, but also build bridges where possible,” Bright said. “New Hampshire has a proud tradition of independence and grit. It’s time Washington learned from us, not the other way around!”

During the 2024 campaign, Bright distanced himself from Donald Trump, going out of his way to say he didn’t support the GOP president “100 percent.”

“I don’t ascribe to fanboy politics,” Bright added. “I’m running my campaign as my own person. And yeah, there are some things he’s done I don’t agree with.”

Trump’s name does not appear in the press release Bright released Tuesday, an unusual move in the current Republican Party.

Trump also doesn’t appear in the launch video Bright posted Tuesday. It’s the same video he used when he announced his 2024 candidacy.

However, Bright also issued a statement praising Trump’s decision to use military force against Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

“President Trump showed decisive, strong leadership when he opted to take advantage of this tactical window and direct a targeted attack on a crippled Iran – a country that every November 4th celebrates ‘Death to America Day’ and is nearing nuclear weapon capability.”

With or without Trump, winning the First Congressional District is a tall order for any Republican candidate.

Since the 2010 Tea Party election, Democrats have won the district every cycle except 2014, when former U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta took back the seat for a single term. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report lists the open seat as “Likely Democrat.”

The seat is open because Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas is running to replace outgoing U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Several other Republicans have expressed interest in a possible NH-01 run, including current state party vice chair Hollie Noveletsky, who finished in second place in 2024’s GOP primary. Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur, who finished third, may also jump in, too.

Walter McFarlane, an unknown candidate from Manchester who finished fifth in the 2024 primary, told WMUR that he’s considering a run for U.S. Senate.

Three Democrats are already in the race, including Shaheen’s daughter Stefany, who is widely viewed as the frontrunner in both the primary and the general elections. However, Marine Corps veteran and Obama administration official Maura Sullivan, who finished second in 2018’s Democratic primary, isn’t rolling over. And Hampton select board member Carleigh Beriont, who teaches at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, has also entered the race.

Despite the uphill climb, the National Republican Congressional Committee says they have the race on its radar.

“The writing is on the wall for House Democrats, and their vulnerable members are racing for the exits,” NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said when Pappas announced his Senate bid. “Republicans are ready to seize on their dysfunction.

“We look forward to flipping this open seat red.”

Bright says that his unsuccessful bid two years ago isn’t a weakness; it’s an advantage.

“As someone who never ran before, I learned a great deal about the process (in 2024) and have incorporated all of those lessons learned. Lasting success is built on setbacks, disappointments and failure,” Bright told NHJournal.

“I have gained invaluable connections both on the political front and the donor front. Last cycle, when I launched, nobody knew who I was. This time, I already have an army of volunteers and have lined up some significant donors with more pledged donations in the first 24 hours than we raised all last cycle.”