Senator Jeanne Shaheen Announces 2026 Retirement, Shaking Up New Hampshire Senate Race
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a prominent Democrat from New Hampshire, has declared that she will not seek re-election in the 2026 midterm elections. This announcement marks the end of a distinguished career for the former governor and three-term senator, a key figure in New England politics. Shaheen’s decision introduces considerable uncertainty into the Democratic Party’s efforts to maintain control of the Senate in the upcoming elections, setting the stage for a potentially fierce battle in a historically swing state.
The news reverberated throughout the political landscape, signaling the conclusion of a trailblazing career. Shaheen made history as the first woman in American politics to be elected both as a governor and as a U.S. senator. Her announcement comes as Republicans are actively seeking to expand their Senate majority, creating a significant opening for the GOP to potentially flip a seat in a state that has leaned Democratic in recent years.
In a statement released Wednesday, Shaheen emphasized her long-standing commitment to public service. "I ran for public office to make a difference for the people of New Hampshire," she stated. "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, who turned 78 earlier this year, indicated that the time felt right for her to step aside. "It’s just time," she said. However, she made it clear that she intends to remain fully engaged during her remaining term. "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."
Speculation about Shaheen’s future had been circulating for months. Her relatively modest fundraising efforts in the final quarter of 2024, where she raised only $170,000, fueled rumors that she might be hesitant to embark on another demanding re-election campaign. While some insiders attributed the lower fundraising numbers to a lack of focus during the busy period of the presidential election, the speculation persisted.
The upcoming vacancy in New Hampshire presents a significant opportunity for Republicans. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has already signaled its intent to target the seat, even running ads criticizing Shaheen’s support for USAID funding. Senator Tim Scott, the NRSC chair, issued a statement expressing optimism about the GOP’s chances. "Another one! Shaheen’s retirement is welcome news for Granite Staters eager for new leadership. New Hampshire has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans – and will do so again in 2026!" he proclaimed.
Potential Republican contenders are already emerging. Former Senator Scott Brown, who previously represented Massachusetts and narrowly lost to Shaheen in the 2014 New Hampshire Senate race, is reportedly considering another run. Brown, who served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand during the Trump administration, has been actively meeting with Republicans in New Hampshire and in Washington, D.C., exploring the possibility of launching a campaign.
"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 stated 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."
Notably, former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a popular Republican figure, has repeatedly stated that he has no interest in running for the Senate in 2026. Sununu was heavily courted to challenge Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan in 2022 but ultimately declined to enter the race.
On the Democratic side, attention is primarily focused on Representative Chris Pappas. Pappas, a four-term congressman whose family owns a prominent restaurant and conference center in Manchester, is seriously considering a Senate run. A source familiar with Pappas’s thinking confirmed his potential interest to Fox News.
Pappas acknowledged Shaheen’s legacy in a social media post, describing her as a "trailblazer who has worked every day to put New Hampshire first and make a difference for our families, community, and economy. Thank you for always leading with integrity, determination, and effectiveness for our state and nation."
Former Representative Ann Kuster, who retired from the House at the beginning of this year, has also indicated that she would consider a Senate run if Pappas decides against it. Representative Maggie Goodlander, who succeeded Kuster in Congress, is also reportedly considering a bid.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) remains optimistic about the party’s chances in New Hampshire, despite Shaheen’s retirement. "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," said DSCC spokesperson David Bergstein.
Beyond New Hampshire, the 2026 Senate landscape is shaping up to be highly competitive. Republicans are targeting seats in Michigan, where Democratic Senator Gary Peters is also retiring, and Georgia, where they view Senator Jon Ossoff as vulnerable. The GOP also hopes to compete in Minnesota, where Democratic Senator Tina Smith is not seeking re-election.
Democrats, in turn, plan to challenge Republican incumbents in Maine, North Carolina, and potentially Ohio. The race in Ohio will be a special election to fill the seat vacated by JD Vance, who is now Vice President.
Jeanne Shaheen’s career in politics extends back to her involvement in Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaigns. She served as a county organizer for Carter’s historic 1976 campaign and later managed his 1980 re-election effort in New Hampshire. She also ran Gary Hart’s presidential campaign in New Hampshire in 1984, contributing to his surprise victory over Walter Mondale.
Shaheen went on to serve as a state senator before being elected governor in 1996, a position she held for three consecutive terms. Her 2008 Senate victory marked the first time a Democrat had won a Senate seat in New Hampshire in over three decades. Shaheen is widely credited with strengthening the Democratic Party in New Hampshire and helping to transform the state from reliably Republican to a more competitive battleground. Her departure will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the state’s political landscape.
