Dan Innis, right, poses with his husband, Doug Palardy, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

WASHINGTON — Dan Innis, the married gay man who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in New Hampshire, was confirmed to be a member of the state Republican Party's leadership on Monday night.

New Hampshire Republican Party Chair Jennifer Horn appointed Innis to the finance chair position of the state party on Monday.

According to a news release, Innis' appointment was supported by the two Republican members of the state's congressional delegation: Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Rep. Frank Guinta — who defeated Innis in the Republican primary last year.

The role could place Innis in the spotlight as presidential candidates make their way to the state in advance of the state's 2016 presidential primary.

"I am pleased that Dan has agreed to dedicate his time and considerable talents to helping Republicans raise the resources that we need to compete with the Democrats," Horn said in a statement. "I am proud to have Dan on my team and look forward to his contributions to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee."

Innis was a dean at the University of New Hampshire, where he remains a professor, and is a small business owner with his husband, Doug Palardy.