Hampton's Carleigh Beriont launches campaign for NH 1st District seat in US House
HAMPTON — Selectwoman Carleigh Beriont has entered the 2026 race for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, setting up a competitive Democratic primary showdown that currently includes Stefany Shaheen and Maura Sullivan.
Beriont, a Harvard University lecturer and vice chair of the Hampton Select Board, made her announcement on June 4 at a press conference in front of the Hampton town offices. She said she was entering the race to 'fight for working families,' describing herself as 'not a career politician,' but 'a mom, an educator, a neighbor.'
'I've spent my life standing up for people who don't always have a voice in the room,' Beriont said in a press release ahead of her press conference. 'Now I'm ready to bring that same fight to Washington – not for the powerful, but for the rest of us.'
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-NH, previously announced he is running for U.S. Senate in 2026 when current U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's term is set to end. Shaheen is planning to retire after serving three terms.
Shaheen's daughter, Stefany Shaheen, a former Portsmouth city councilor, and Maura Sullivan, vice chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, have already announced their candidacy to fill Pappas' seat.
Beriont says her campaign will focus on building a grassroots coalition across the district 'grounded in listening, local engagement, and bold, people-first solutions.'
She is hoping her message will help her defeat candidates with name recognition and better funding.
'I want my kids and all the kids in this district to grow up knowing that there is a seat at the table for them regardless of their last name or how much money they have,' Beriont said.
Beriont described herself at her press conference before a small crowd as a mother with concerns like other families in CD1, from rising costs to challenges with insurance companies.
'I worry a lot about whether we are even going to be able to keep living in Hampton, this community that we love so much,' Beriont said. 'Like so many of us, a lot of mornings I wake up angry.'
Beriont spoke about her concerns regarding President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.
An adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, she voiced concern her students could be targeted by ICE over their political statements, citing instances in which Harvard students were detained for social media posts and essays expressing support for Palestinians.
'I worry about whether one of my students is going to be picked up by ICE and deported because of something they wrote in the campus paper or posted on Instagram,' Beriont said.
Beriont is optimistic Democrats will be able to win seats in 2026 following the Republicans winning the presidency and the majority of both chambers of Congress in 2024. She believes cultural divides between the parties can be bridged by her approach as a local elected official. She said Hampton is 'purple,' much like CD1.
'I sit at a table every Monday night with people from very different political parties, and we get together and we make things better for people in this community,' Beriont said. 'I think that's what I want to see down in D.C.'
Other potential candidates have expressed interest in running for CD1. State Rep. Alice Wade, D-Dover, announced June 4 she launched an exploratory committee to consider a run for Congress.
Wade, a transgender woman, has been a vocal advocate in Concord against legislation Democrats argue restricts trans rights. She is considering a congressional run to champion affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and representation for "everyday people."
'Washington is broken. Too many Granite Staters are working harder than ever but still falling behind,' Wade said in a press release. 'I'm exploring this campaign because our district deserves a representative… who will fight every day to make life better for regular people.'
State Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, said in April constituents encouraged her to run for CD1 and she was considering it. On June 4, she announced she would not be running for Congress and instead will pursue her third term in the state Senate in 2026. She said she plans to fight budget cuts that will harm community mental health centers, education and the fund supporting the victims of the youth center sexual assaults.
'As I look toward my tenth year of public service, I've spent time reflecting on where I can make the greatest impact - and I am incredibly grateful for the encouragement and support from my colleagues, community members, and supporters throughout this process,' Altschiller said in a press release. 'At this time, my work remains here in the Granite State.'
Editor's note: State Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, is the wife of Howard Altschiller, Seacoast Media Group's executive editor.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton's Carleigh Beriont running for NH 1st District US House seat
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
33 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal judge Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to release billions of dollars in funding for the build out of electric vehicle chargers in more than a dozen states. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Washington state partially granted a preliminary injunction that sought to free up the money approved under then-President Joe Biden that the Trump administration withheld earlier this year. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia sued over the move, arguing that the administration did not have the authority to block the congressionally approved funds. The program was set to allocate $5 billion over five years to various states, of which an estimated $3.3 billion had already been made available.
CNN
36 minutes ago
- CNN
Israeli Assessment: U.S. Strikes Damaged Ford Less Than Expected - Anderson Cooper 360 - Podcast on CNN Podcasts
Israeli Assessment: U.S. Strikes Damaged Ford Less Than Expected Anderson Cooper 360 49 mins New reporting on how much damage American airstrikes did, or did not do, to Iran's nuclear program. CNN has learned that a preliminary assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency suggests it may be far less than the President and others said it was immediately after the attack. Plus, the work toward a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. Anderson speaks to Rachel Golberg and Jon Polin, whose son Hersh was taken hostage on October 7th and executed by Hamas.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The US Treasury shocked Americans with a $258B surplus — its 2nd biggest monthly surplus in history
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Budget deficits are something we've come to expect from Uncle Sam. After all, without years of overspending, the federal government wouldn't be sitting on trillions of dollars in debt. But, the latest monthly Treasury statement delivered a rare — and welcome — surprise. In April 2025, the U.S. government collected $850.2 billion in receipts while spending $591.8 billion, resulting in a monthly budget surplus of $258.4 billion. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) That's not just any surplus — it's the first monthly surplus of fiscal year 2025 (which began in October 2024), and the second-largest monthly surplus in U.S. history, behind only April 2022's $308.2 billion surplus. Does that mean President Trump's plan is working? According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the surplus was driven by 'large individual tax deposits,' with April being the due date for final payments on prior-year taxes and the first installment of quarterly estimated taxes for many individuals and businesses. Individual income taxes alone brought in $537 billion — by far the biggest contributor to government revenue for April. Social insurance and retirement receipts followed at $184 billion, while corporate income taxes added $94 billion. Customs duties — a reflection of Trump's tariffs — generated $15.6 billion in April, more than double the $6.3 billion collected during the same month last year. Still, tariff revenue remains modest compared to other major contributors. On the spending side, the biggest outlay for the month was Social Security at $132 billion, followed by $89 billion in net interest, $82 billion for Medicare, $76 billion for health and $70 billion for national defense. Despite the hefty surplus, one strong month isn't enough to reverse the broader fiscal trend. From October 1 through April 30, the U.S. government brought in $3.110 trillion in revenue but spent $4.159 trillion — resulting in a $1.049 trillion deficit for the fiscal year so far. So it's no surprise the national debt continues to soar. As of this writing, the total outstanding debt of the U.S. government sits at a staggering $36.212 trillion. The takeaway? To run a surplus, you have to earn more than you spend. That might be a tall order for a government juggling countless programs — but for individuals, it's a surprisingly simple (and achievable) strategy. Here are a few ways to boost your own fiscal health in 2025 — and beyond. If you want to improve your finances, the first step is understanding where your money goes each month. Track all your expenses for 30 days, then sort them into two categories: necessities — like rent, groceries, utilities and health care — and discretionary spending, such as dining out, entertainment, shopping and hobbies. This breakdown gives you a clear picture of your spending habits and helps identify areas where you can cut back. But trimming waste isn't just about skipping lattes or takeout. Even in essential categories — like car insurance or banking — you may be spending more than you need to. The good news? With a bit of research, those costs can often be significantly reduced. Car insurance is a major recurring expense, and many people overpay without realizing it. According to Forbes, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $2,149 per year (or $179 per month). However, rates can vary widely depending on your state, driving history and vehicle type, and you could be paying more than necessary. By using you can easily compare quotes from multiple insurers, such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO, to ensure you're getting the best deal. In just two minutes, you could find rates as low as $29 per month. Bank fees can quietly drain your finances over time. Even comedian Bill Burr once complained to Joe Rogan about his bank taking $28 out of his account every month 'for no reason.' In reality, many traditional banks charge anywhere from $5 to $35 per month in maintenance fees, overdraft fees and other hidden charges. Online banks, on the other hand, typically offer lower fees (or none at all) since they don't have the same overhead costs as brick-and-mortar institutions. Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — Cutting expenses is one way to create a surplus — but boosting income can be just as powerful. And while asking for a raise doesn't always lead to results, there are ways to earn money without clocking in extra hours. That's where passive income comes in: money that keeps flowing with minimal day-to-day effort. One of the most popular passive income strategies? Real estate. When you own a rental property, tenants pay you rent each month — providing a steady stream of cash flow. It's also a time-tested hedge against inflation, since both property values and rental income tend to rise along with the cost of living. Of course, purchasing a property requires significant capital — and finding the right tenant takes time and effort. Homeshares, gives accredited investors access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market — a space that's historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets. Another way to tap into this market is by investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through Arrived. Backed by world-class investors including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property. To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100, potentially earning quarterly dividends. JPMorgan sees gold soaring to $6,000/ounce — use this 1 simple IRA trick to lock in those potential shiny gains (before it's too late) This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Millions of Americans now sit on a stunning $35 trillion in home equity — here's 1 new way to invest in responsible US homeowners This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
