Another Republican is preparing to run for the seat held by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D), a move that further complicates the GOP’s chances of taking back the competitive 1st Congressional district in 2010.

Businessman Richard Ashooh told the New Hampshire Union Leader on Monday that he plans to file the appropriate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission this week to open an exploratory committee, adding that he will make a final decision about a bid in the first three months of 2010.

Ashooh is one of a few GOP candidates to run for the seat, joining Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta and fellow businessman Bob Bestani in the race. A hard-fought September primary could be devastating to New Hampshire Republicans and the National Republican Congressional Committee, which recruited Guinta to run for the seat.

Shea-Porter took 51 percent of the vote when she won the seat in 2006 and 52 percent last year.