Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Announces She Won’t Seek Re-election in 2026

ByElena Carter

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire announced Wednesday she will not seek re-election in 2026, creating an open seat battle in a key northeastern swing state and potentially complicating Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the Senate. The decision marks the beginning of the end for a historic political career spanning decades of public service.

“I ran for public office to make a difference for the people of New Hampshire. That purpose has never and will never change. But today, after careful consideration, I am announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2026,” Shaheen said in a video message released by her office, according to Fox News.

Shaheen, who turned 78 earlier this year, added simply that “it’s just time.” She emphasized, however, that “while I am not seeking re-election, believe me I am not retiring. I am determined to work every day over the next two years and beyond, to continue to try to make a difference for the people of New Hampshire and this country.”

Photo Source: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, Mueller /MSC

Historic Political Career

Shaheen has served in the Senate since 2009 after winning election in 2008 and securing re-election in 2014 and 2020. Before her Senate career, she served three terms as New Hampshire’s governor, becoming the first woman elected to that position in 1996. She made history again by becoming New Hampshire’s first female senator, and is the first woman in American politics to win election both as a governor and as a U.S. senator.

This year, Shaheen became the first woman in history to hold one of the top two positions on the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where she currently serves as the ranking Democrat. In that role, she has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s approach to the Ukraine-Russia war, CNN reported.

During her time in Congress, Shaheen helped co-create the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic, championed legislation guaranteeing rights for sexual assault survivors in federal cases, and worked across the aisle with former Republican Sen. Rob Portman on energy efficiency legislation.

Impact on Senate Battle

Shaheen’s retirement further complicates Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the Senate, which Republicans currently hold by a 53-47 margin after flipping four seats from blue to red in last November’s elections. She joins Democratic Sens. Gary Peters of Michigan and Tina Smith of Minnesota, who have also announced they won’t seek re-election in 2026.

There had been intense speculation for months about Shaheen’s plans. She raised only $170,000 in the final fundraising quarter of 2024, which sparked buzz that she might not be preparing for another campaign. A major fundraiser had been scheduled for March 20 in Manchester, New Hampshire, though it’s unclear whether that event will now be canceled.

In an interview with The New York Times, Shaheen said “it’s important for New Hampshire and the country to have a new generation of leadership,” suggesting her decision was partly motivated by a desire to make way for younger candidates.

Competitive Race Expected

New Hampshire has trended slightly toward Republicans in recent years, electing Republican Kelly Ayotte as governor in 2024, while former President Donald Trump improved his margin of defeat there by more than 4 points from his previous run in 2020. However, it has been 15 years since Republicans last won a Senate election in the state, with Democrats victorious in the past four contests.

National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chair Sen. Tim Scott welcomed Shaheen’s announcement, calling it “welcome news for Granite Staters eager for new leadership” and expressing confidence that the state would elect a Republican in 2026.

Former Sen. Scott Brown, who narrowly lost to Shaheen in the 2014 election, is seriously considering a 2026 run. Brown, who served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand during Trump’s first administration, has been holding meetings with Republicans across New Hampshire for months and has met multiple times with GOP officials in Washington.

“I appreciate @jeanneshaheen’s service to our state and for her support and vote for me as NH’s Ambassador to NZ and Samoa,” Brown said in a social media post. “Now it’s time for New Hampshire to have someone in the delegation who fights for our priorities and stands with, not against, the Trump agenda.”

Photo Source: kovop58@gmail.com/DepositPhotos

Democratic Contenders Emerge

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, whose district includes Manchester, is strongly considering a run for the open seat, according to a person familiar with his thinking. Former U.S. Democratic Rep. Ann Kuster, who recently stepped away from Congress, told CNN that she will “take a serious look” at running if Pappas ultimately decides against it.

Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican who left office with high approval ratings, has not ruled out a Senate run. His entry would likely make the race one of the most competitive in the country.

Despite the challenging environment, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson David Bergstein projected confidence: “No Republican has won a Senate race in over a decade in New Hampshire, and that trend will continue in 2026. This is exactly the kind of state where the building midterm backlash against Republicans will hit their candidates especially hard.”

As the 2026 midterm election cycle begins to take shape, Shaheen’s seat will undoubtedly be a key battleground in determining control of the Senate, with both parties expected to invest heavily in what could be one of the most competitive races in the country.

Elena Carter

Elena is a seasoned political analyst who dissects elections, policies, and power plays with precision. Her expertise lies in breaking down legislation, campaign strategies, and the impact of political shifts on global markets.

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