New Hampshire’s senior U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen told a Washington, D.C. news outlet she’s “undecided” about seeking a fourth term in 2026.
The Capitol Hill publication Punchbowl asked Shaheen about issues facing her as the incoming ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including her opposition to sanctioning the International Criminal Court over its treatment of Israel.
“Shaheen is the highest-ranking woman in that committee’s history,” Punchbowl’s Andrew Desiderio wrote. “Shaheen, who turns 78 this month, is up for reelection in 2026 but told us she’s undecided on whether to seek a fourth Senate term. In order to have a chance at becoming the first woman to chair the storied committee, Shaheen would need to run.”
In the past, Shaheen has answered questions about her 2026 plans by saying she has “plenty of time” to make up her mind, as she told a liberal radio show host on WGIR-AM last week.
The ICC issue is just the latest example of Shaheen taking an anti-Israel stance. Supporters of Israel from across the political spectrum have condemned the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The GOP-controlled U.S. House passed a bill last week imposing sanctions on the ICC, a bill supported by 45 Democrats, including Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) His colleague, Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), voted no.
Shaheen also joined a group of far-left progressives in a failed attempt to block the sale of some offensive arms to Israel in November.
And Shaheen has been an outspoken supporter of the pro-Iran policies of the Obama and Biden administrations.
If Shaheen does run for reelection, odds are she would face a strong challenge from former Ambassador Scott Brown. She narrowly defeated him in her 2014 reelection bid.
