Political leaders react to Shaheen not seeking reelection
After serving almost 20 years as one of New Hampshire's two U.S. senators, 78-year-old Democrat Jeanne Shaheen announced Wednesday she will not be running for a fourth term in 2026.
'From the bottom of my heart, thank you New Hampshire,' Sen. Shaheen said in a video posted to social media.
Although Shaheen always said her goal was to make a difference for people rather than make history for herself, she ended up doing both. After serving as New Hampshire's first female governor from 1997-2003 and then being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008, Shaheen became the first woman in United States history to serve as both a state governor and U.S. senator, winning three terms to each role.
Some political experts say Shaheen didn't just break down barriers for women by doing that, but also made America a better place for women by championing federal bills like the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act, and expanding the Violence Against Women Act.
'I think she will leave a legacy of making America, making our communities safer for women and protecting women,' said Dr. Nathan Shrader, Associate Professor of Politics at New England College in Henniker.
In a blow to Democrats, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen will not seek reelection in New Hampshire
Dr. Shrader says Shaheen also leaves a rare legacy of being a centrist, as the Common Ground Committee ranked her one of the ten most bipartisan senators in the country multiple times. Some of the more recent memories of Shaheen voting across the aisle include her joining Republicans in voting for the Laken Riley Act this year, and voting against Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' proposed $15 dollar minimum wage amendment in 2021.
'She's leaving us, leaving office rather, at a time when we need people who are out of her mold,' Dr. Shrader said. 'Some of these people that took the governing component of this extremely seriously and did it very well for a long time are being … they've been replaced, in many respects, by people who are far more partisan and less institutional than they were.'
As far as who might replace Shaheen, Dr. Shrader says many people could get in the running, but some of the early names being tossed around are current Democratic New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas, former Republican Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, and even former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, although he's said previously that he's uninterested in becoming a U.S. senator.
If Rep. Pappas were to run for Shaheen's spot, Dr. Shrader says that would also create a race for his U.S. House seat, and that could in turn create more races in the New Hampshire State House if current state representatives and senators were to leave their positions to try replacing Pappas.
'This is where it would get very interesting, very quickly,' Dr. Shrader said. 'There are pockets of Democratic elected officials all through the first district who might say, again, 'Hey, this is an open seat, these don't come up very often, what the heck, I'm going to shoot my shot and this might be my only opportunity.''
People around New Hampshire reacted to Shaheen's announcement throughout the day Wednesday, including her Senate colleague Maggie Hassan, who wrote in part: 'Jeanne Shaheen is a trailblazer who has defined and personified New Hampshire politics – and progress – for decades.'
Furthermore, although he hasn't officially announced his candidacy yet, former senator Scott Brown also shared a statement thanking Shaheen for her service, but adding: 'It's time for New Hampshire to have someone in the delegation who stands with, not against, the Trump agenda.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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