Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas is contemplating a run for Senate after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen introduced her retirement Wednesday, whereas former Rep. Annie Kuster instructed POLITICO she would take a “critical look” on the seat if he does not run.
Pappas has lengthy been thought of a probable contender for an open Senate seat, and was floated by a number of New Hampshire Democratic operatives Wednesday. Kuster stated, “If Pappas doesn’t run, I’d take a critical take a look at the race.”
Shaheen, who’s 78 and was first elected to the Senate in 2008, stated she made the “tough” resolution to step apart: “It’s simply time.”
“There are pressing challenges forward, each right here at house and all over the world, and whereas I’m not searching for reelection, consider me, I’m not retiring,” Shaheen stated in a video.
New Hampshire will probably be a essential battleground within the combat over management for the Senate, however it was already a difficult map for Democrats to retake the bulk even earlier than the retirements.
Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) each introduced their intention to not search reelection in February.
President Donald Trump carried Michigan in 2024 and former Vice President Kamala Harris gained Minnesota and New Hampshire; Democrats have usually discovered success in latest Senate races in all three states.
Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee chair Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) shortly welcomed Shaheen’s resolution.
“One other one!” Scott wrote on X. “Shaheen’s retirement is welcome information for Granite Staters keen for brand new management. New Hampshire has a proud custom of electing common sense Republicans — and can achieve this once more in 2026!”
Former Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said on Tuesday he was mulling a run for the seat, and with Shaheen asserting her pending retirement, candidates from each events might want to resolve shortly whether or not they’re working.
Scott Brown, the previous ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa who misplaced to Shaheen in 2014, additionally jumped in with an announcement.
“I respect @jeanneshaheen’s service to our state and for her help and vote for me as NH’s Ambassador to NZ and Samoa,” Brown wrote on X. “Now it’s time for New Hampshire to have somebody within the delegation who fights for our priorities and stands with, not in opposition to, the Trump agenda.”
Along with Pappas, Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander is broadly seen as potential candidate. Each events may have aggressive primaries for the seat.
“Senator Shaheen is a trailblazer who has labored every single day to place New Hampshire first and make a distinction for our households, neighborhood, and financial system. Thanks for at all times main with integrity, willpower, and effectiveness for our state and nation,” Pappas said on X in a prolonged assertion that highlighted his time as a volunteer for Shaheen’s 1996 gubernatorial run.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called Shaheen “a great good friend, a critical legislator, and a fierce advocate for safeguarding America’s nationwide safety pursuits.”
Within the Senate, Shaheen is the rating member on the International Relations Committee and was the Small Enterprise Committee chair when Democrats final managed the chamber.
“I’m decided to work every single day over the subsequent two years and past to proceed to attempt to make a distinction for the folks of New Hampshire and this nation,” she said in the video. “From the underside of my coronary heart, thanks New Hampshire.”
