(PORTSMOUTH, NH)--Mayor Steve Marchand announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection locally.

"We've made a real difference in Portsmouth in improving our environment and in creating more open and efficient government," said Marchand.  "My number one priority as Mayor was to keep taxes from going up faster than people's ability to pay--and we did.

"I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in my community.  I am even more fortunate to have a chance to make a difference for the community of New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate."

Marchand's record of public service on the Portsmouth City Council and as Mayor has won him statewide praise as a leader on increasing accountability in government and restraining tax increases.   Marchand signed Portsmouth on to multiple climate change agreements and supervised the construction of the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified public building in the state, Portsmouth's new public library.  Working with Save Our Shipyard, Steve fought to save the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2005.

Steve Marchand is the Mayor of Portsmouth, NH. He is former Northeast Director of the Concord Coalition and Associate State Director of AARP New Hampshire. His campaign website is www.stevemarchand.com.