After weeks of speculation, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced she will not seek a fourth term in 2026, setting back even further Democratic hopes of flipping the upper chamber.
The New York Times broke the news Wednesday morning.
“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,” Shaheen, 78, told the paper.
In a social media post, Shaheen told Granite Staters the news.
“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 retiring,” Shaheen said.
National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) declared victory.
“Another one! Shaheen’s retirement is welcome news for Granite Staters eager for new leadership. New Hampshire has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans—and will do so again in 2026!”
Shaheen made the announcement just hours after NHJournal reported that former Gov. Chris Sununu said he is “considering” a 2026 U.S. Senate run, a job he’s said for years he has no interest in pursuing.
A NHJournal/Praecones Analytica poll released earlier this month showed Sununu with a nine-point lead over the incumbent Democrat.
Republican ambassador and former U.S. Senator Scott Brown, who lost to Shaheen by three points in 2014, is also believed to be close to entering the race.
On the Democratic side, political operatives assume that U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) will run. If he does, the Manchester Democrat would be a formidable candidate both in the primary and the general elections.
Developing…
