Republican Matt Doheny, who lost two races against Democrat Bill Owens says he will run for the NY-21 District.

“I was honored that more than 120,000 voters chose me to represent them during the last election,” Doheny said in an issued release. “Many told me they appreciated my real-world experience in tackling tough problems and working together with competing interests to find common ground. That approach and real-world experience is sorely needed in a Congress too full of career insiders.”

Doheny will join St. Lawrence County Republic Joseph Gilbert and Wilsboro Elise Stefanik in a primary race. Last week North Country Republicans unanimously endorsed Stefanik, but a recent poll claimed Doheny had more support from registered Republicans.

“My parents taught me the value of hard work, and I owe my success to the North Country values they instilled in me,” said Doheny. “While I had to leave the North Country for a time to continue my career, this will be my home for the rest of my life; and I’m committed to helping the next generation – including my seven-month-old son, Declan – follow their dreams right here at home.”

“I’ve made a career out of finding ways to create growth opportunities, turn troubled companies around, balance budgets and protect American jobs,” Doheny, a Watertown businessman, said. “I want to apply that expertise to the problems facing Congress, while helping my community – the North Country, Adirondacks and Capital Region – attract good-paying jobs that are vital in the 21st century economy.”

Doheny managed the distressed assets division of a Fortune 500 company for eight years. Doheny later formed his own local investment firm and now uses his acquired knowledge in turnarounds, development and business reforms while serving on the boards of directors of several national companies, such as Kodak, YRC Worldwide and Affinity Gaming.

Doheny, the son of Sandra “Kay” and the late Richard Doheny, grew up in the North Country and graduated from Alexandria Central School.

In weighing his run, Doheny received an outpouring of encouragement from friends, family, neighbors, party leaders, elected officials and a few local newspapers.

“I was humbled by strangers who stopped me in the grocery store or at the gas station and urged me to run again. Several friends I met on the campaign trail called and offered an encouraging word,” said Doheny. “I’m going to be out there every day working hard to get elected and be a good representative for them in Congress.”

Doheny will also seek the Republican, Independence and Conservative party lines for the Nov. 4 election.

He was all three parties’ candidate during the 2012 election – one of the closest House races in the nation. Rep. Bill Owens won by 1.9 percent in a district in which President Barack Obama carried by 6.1 percent.

Doheny was also part of one of the closest House races in 2010, with just 1,990 votes separating him from the incumbent – while a fellow Republican who stayed on the Conservative Party line received 10,507 votes.