After serving in the Senate for three terms, New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced that she will not seek reelection in 2026, opening up a competitive seat for Democrats to defend in the midterm elections. Shaheen’s decision brings an end to a long political career that saw her become the first woman in U.S. history to be elected as both a governor and a U.S. senator.
Senate Democrats now face a challenging 2026 map with open seats in Michigan and Minnesota, as well as a competitive race in Georgia. Shaheen is the third Democratic senator to retire this cycle. Despite not seeking reelection, Shaheen declared that she is not retiring and will continue working to make a difference for the people of New Hampshire and the country.
Throughout her career, Shaheen has been a leading voice on global women’s issues and has worked as a dealmaker on bipartisan legislative solutions. She also played a key role in crafting a major transportation and infrastructure law in 2021.
Potential candidates for Shaheen’s seat include Republican former Sen. Scott P. Brown and former Gov. Chris Sununu, as well as Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and former Rep. Ann McLane Kuster. The race for Shaheen’s seat is expected to be closely watched as both parties vie for control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
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