New Hampshire Democrat Sen Jeanne Shaheen Won’t Seek Reelection in 2026
Three Democrat Senators won’t seek reelection.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), 78, won’t seek reelection in 2026.
“There are urgent challenges ahead both here at home and around the world,” Shaheen said in a video. “And while I’m not seeking reelection, believe me, I am not retiring. I am determined to work every day over the next two years and beyond to continue to try and make a difference for the people of New Hampshire in this country.”
Shaheen is the third Democrat Senator who won’t run again in 2026, opening three seats for Republicans.
The senator told The New York Times, “It was a difficult decision, made more difficult by the current environment in the country — by President Trump and what he’s doing right now.”
Today, after careful consideration, I'm announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek reelection to the Senate in 2026.
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… pic.twitter.com/h0urg7ZZx6
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) March 12, 2025
Former Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said he would not run. However, we have heard other politicians say that and then run for a political office.
The NYT also reported that former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown might run (he moved to NH a while ago).
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) announced he won’t seek a third term in 2026, opening a seat in a potential battleground state.
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) said she would not run for reelection in 2026 after 23 years in the chamber.
Republicans could pick up three more seats in the Senate in 2026.
Minnesota could be an easy pickup if failed Democrat VP candidate Gov. Tim Walz runs for Smith’s seat.
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Comments
Former governor Sununu( R) will run and take it.
https://nhjournal.com/report-sununu-considering-challenging-shaheen-in-2026/
Yeah, I’m sure the New York Times would love it if that RINO turd Scott Brown ran and won. I’d sooner support Mussolini.
Remember, the key is to run THE MOST CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE THAT CAN POSSIBLY WIN for that seat.
A candidate that can win in TN will be too conservative for NH. The key is keeping the majority in the Senate, most importantly because of the voting for USSC Justices.
That’s how you end up with turtles, weepers, and VP daughters from hell, all of whom turn the party into a third-world shithole.
the lefty agenda is soooo strong on the local levels especially in places that youd think are pro american
78… gee, she is one of the kids in the Democrat party.
Betting Scott Brown takes another run at it.
he’s just another RINO Masshole
In Minnesota, the Republicans are almost certain to run conservative sportscaster Michelle Tafoya for that Senate seat.
They all see the handwriting on the wall. Far, far left graffiti spray painted by their own party everywhere.
Most if not all democrat senators are bad. The women senators are the worse though. Good riddance.
The real reason is that they don’t enjoy being out of power. They are now the party of “No,” and they don’t like it. If Sunnu runs, he will take her seat and if Kemp runs in GA he will take Ossoff’s seat. It appears the midterms could defy tradition and the party in power not lose seats.
In the Senate, it’s actually happened three times in the last 60-years. 1970, 2002 and Trump himself did it in 2018, even though he lost the House in the same year. I agree that Sununu and Kemp would easily win their respective contests, if they run.
In the House, I think it’s only happened twice during that same time frame, 1998 & 2002. Both were unusual years because the GOP shot themselves in the foot with Clinton’s looming Impeachment in 1998 and Bush had a big rebound because of 9/11 in 2002.
well well well
Shaheen’s seat was one of the half-dozen I’ve been watching out of the corner of my eye. Between NH’s blue tendencies and her being the incumbent I’d basically written it off. It’s still more likely than not to stay Dem, but the flip possibility just got a bit better.
Paging Lily Tan! Paging Lily Tan! Please report to 2016! 🙂
Folks, the Senator is 78 years old today. She would be 3 weeks short of 80 years old if she ran, won, and was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2027. I know nothing of her personal life and health (nor am I supposed to), but at 80 years old you just might be entitled to say that you’ve done enough, and now it’s time to spoil the grandchildren.
…trans the grandchildren.