Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, announced on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, that she will not pursue re-election in 2026. This decision is expected to set the stage for a highly competitive and expensive Senate race.
In a video message to her constituents, the 78-year-old Democrat stated, “Today, I am announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2026.”
Shaheen remarked that “it’s just time,” emphasizing that she does not plan to leave office before her term ends. She clarified that she is not retiring and intends to continue working diligently for the people of New Hampshire and the nation over the next two years.
Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made history as the first woman to be elected governor of New Hampshire and the first woman in the U.S. to serve as both governor and senator. Her decision concludes a long political career that has significantly influenced New Hampshire politics for decades.
The senator cited the current political climate in her decision, expressing concerns over President Trump’s focus on political retribution, budget cuts, and opposition to Ukraine. Shaheen also highlighted the need for a new generation of leadership in New Hampshire and across the country.
Her announcement marks the third Democratic Senate departure in potentially competitive states for the 2026 election cycle. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan announced in January that he would not run again, opening up a key race. Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota is also set to retire next year.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, requiring Democrats to gain four seats to take control, as Republicans have the vice presidency for tie-breaking votes.
The open seat in New Hampshire is predicted to attract significant interest from both parties. Former Republican Senator Scott Brown, who lost to Shaheen in 2014, is reportedly considering another run. Brown was seen at the Capitol meeting with Senate Republicans on Tuesday, telling Semafor media that he was contemplating a campaign.
In a message on social media platform X, Brown acknowledged Shaheen’s service and signaled his potential candidacy, stating that it is time for New Hampshire to have a representative who supports the Trump agenda.
Former Republican Governor Chris Sununu is another possible contender. Although he previously declined Republican efforts to recruit him for a Senate run, Sununu told The Washington Times that he has not ruled out the possibility entirely.
On the Democratic side, Representative Chris Pappas, first elected to Congress in 2018, is reportedly considering a Senate bid. First-term Representative Maggie Goodlander, who represents New Hampshire’s other congressional district, is also weighing a potential run, according to sources familiar with her thinking.
Former Democratic Representative Annie Kuster, whom Goodlander replaced in Congress, has indicated she would seriously consider entering the race if Pappas decides not to run.
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley has described the upcoming contest as the “premier U.S. Senate race in the country,” underscoring the high stakes for both parties.
Longtime state Democratic strategist Jim Demers noted the challenges Democrats will face without Shaheen on the ballot. He commented that the race would become more competitive and costly than if Shaheen had sought re-election, pointing to New Hampshire’s large population of independent voters who could influence the outcome.
The political landscape in New Hampshire is mixed. While Democrats currently hold the entire congressional delegation, Republicans control the governorship, both chambers of the state legislature, and a majority in the executive council.
Recent elections highlight the state’s competitive nature. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris won New Hampshire by a narrow margin of three percentage points. However, Republican Kelly Ayotte won the governorship, defeating Democratic former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig by nine percentage points.
Ayotte is the most recent Republican to represent New Hampshire in the Senate, though she lost her re-election bid in 2016 to Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan. She succeeded Republican Chris Sununu as governor, maintaining GOP control of the state’s executive branch.
National Republicans expressed optimism about their chances of flipping the seat. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott of South Carolina stated that New Hampshire “has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans—and will do so again in 2026!”
Democrats remain optimistic about retaining the seat. David Bergstein, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, noted that no Republican has secured a Senate victory in New Hampshire in over a decade, expressing confidence that this trend will continue in 2026. He also suggested that the growing midterm backlash against Republicans could impact their candidates, particularly in states like New Hampshire.
Political analysts have classified the race as competitive but leaning Democratic. As of early 2025, ratings from Inside Elections, The Cook Political Report, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball all categorize the New Hampshire Senate race as “Lean Democratic.”
The 2026 election will take place on November 3, with the primary scheduled earlier that year. State election officials have not yet announced the filing deadline for candidates.
