Shaheen Announces Retirement, Setting Up Competitive Senate Race in New Hampshire

Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire has announced that she will not seek re-election in 2026. This decision opens up a competitive race to fill her seat.

Shaheen, 78, made the announcement in a video message to her constituents. She said that she has made the difficult decision not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2026.

"It's just time," she said.

Shaheen added that she would not be leaving her seat early. "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."

Several potential candidates have already emerged for the open Senate seat. On the Republican side, former Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts is reportedly considering another run in New Hampshire. Brown lost a Senate race against Shaheen in 2014.

On the Democratic side, Representative Chris Pappas is considering running for the Senate seat. Pappas was first elected in 2018.

First-term Representative Maggie Goodlander is also considering a run for the Senate. Goodlander represents New Hampshire's other congressional district.

The open seat in New Hampshire could make the state harder for Democrats to hold, according to longtime state Democratic strategist Jim Demers.

"It becomes extremely competitive and a lot more expensive than it would have been had Sen. Shaheen run for re-election,” Demers said. He said the state has a sizable share of independent voters who "can go either way."

Republicans expressed confidence that they could flip the open Senate seat. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott said in a statement that the state “has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans—and will do so again in 2026!”

Democrats, though, believe the state’s historical trends are on their side.

“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 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman David Bergstein.