Former Congressman running for Gov.

Hamden, Conn. (WTNH) - Former Congressman Larry DeNardis has officially announced his plans to seek the Republican nomination for Connecticut governor.

He appeared Thursday at the Eli Whitney Museum in his hometown of Hamden. The 71-year-old DeNardis said he wants to make it easier for modern day Eli Whitneys to manufacture their inventions in Connecticut. Whitney invented the cotton gin.

"I make this solemn pledge to the people of CT that if I am elected your Governor, I will pursue and implement policies to create financial stability in our state without regard to political or partisan interest or advantage, motivated on by the best interests of the people of our State," said former congressman Larry DeNardis.

DeNardis served in the state Senate in the 1970s and had one term in the U.S. House in the early 1980s. He was known for being fiscally conservative while moderate on social issues. He also was president of the University of New Haven for 13 years.

DeNardis joins a crowded field of candidates that includes fellow Republicans Tom Foley, former U.S. ambassador to Ireland, and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele.