14 hours ago
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
