New Hampshire’s senior senator and former governor, Jeanne Shaheen (D), announced on Wednesday that she will not seek another term in the U.S. Senate in 2026, where she has served since 2009 after six years as the state’s governor.
“Today after careful consideration, I’m announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek reelection to the senate in 2026. It’s just time,” said Sen. Shaheen.
“There are urgent challenges ahead, both here at home and around the world, and while I’m 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 different for the people of New Hampshire and this country,” she added.
Shaheen, at 78, has decided to retire because “it’s just time,” as Maine’s Sen. Angus King (I) just won reelection as he approaches his 81st birthday at the end of this month.
She currently serves on the committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Small Business.
Shaheen’s retirement opens up her seat, which was held by a Republican prior to 2009, to potentially be won by another Republican in 2026, as the Democratic candidate will not be running as an incumbent.
Although New Hampshire has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election over the last 20 years, it is sometimes counted among the swing states. While it is currently represented by two Democrats in the House and two in the Senate, New Hampshire has a Republican governor, and Republicans control both chambers of the state’s legislature.
Meanwhile, property records in Florida show that trusts controlled by Shaheen’s husband, William, purchased up to $4 million of real estate in the “snow bird” haven in the months preceding the senator’s announcing she will not seek another term.
On the same day that Shaheen made her announcement, former NH Governor Chris Sununu (R), who served through 2025, told The Washington Times that he would consider running for a U.S. Senate seat.
“I have not ruled it out completely, but folks in Washington have asked me to think about it and to consider it, and that is just kind of where I am,” said Sununu.
Sununu told the outlet that President Donald Trump’s focus on government efficiency makes the prospect of running for a Senate seat more attractive.
Although the seat has gone to a Democrat since 2009, Sununu, a moderate Republican who has never portrayed himself as a MAGA hardliner, proved popular with New Hampshire voters during his time as governor, suggesting that he could have a strong shot at the seat when facing a non-incumbent Democrat.
Shaheen is one of the FEW democrats who can read the writing on the wall .
The Democrat Party is going to get slaughtered at the polls in 2026.
She wants to avoid the humiliation of being beaten .
Either got caught in the cookie jar, climbing under a rock to hide or setting up her presidential run. I think probably all three. This is how desperate the democrats are to find someone in their party with the fewest crimes committed. Bring it on grandma.
If only other elderly people would do the same and retire, we would all be better off!