While political observers are practically salivating over the prospect of a Democratic Party primary royale between Reps. Maggie Goodlander and Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate, some Granite State Republicans are quietly preparing for a run to fill the potential vacancies that would result.
While neither congressional Democrat has publicly announced their 2026 plans, it’s almost certain that Pappas, who’s represented the First Congressional District since 2019, will run to replace Sen. Jeanne Shaheen when she retires next year.
That means an open seat in a district that Republicans have long insisted is competitive — despite the fact the GOP has only carried it once since 2010, and that was with a previous incumbent, Rep. Frank Guinta.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has put the Pappas seat on its 2026 target list, and at least one Republican tells NHJournal he’s seriously considering jumping into the race. Chris Bright, who finished in fourth place with 13 percent of vote in last year’s GOP primary, says he is very likely to try again.
“New Hampshire’s 1st District is going to be a closely watched race this coming election cycle. I’m honored by the encouragement I’ve received to run, and I’m taking a close look at the race,” Bright said.
“I learned a great deal last cycle, and I am more motivated than ever to make a difference. If I move forward, it will be with a soldier’s determination to win and restore Granite State values to our congressional delegation.”
One previous candidate who says she will not be running is 2022 NH-01 GOP nominee Karoline Leavitt, who currently serves as America’s youngest-ever White House spokesperson for President Donald Trump.
Asked by Sean Spicer on the popular 2Way platform if she’s interested in ever running for office in New Hampshire again, Leavitt said no.
“I’m not considering it, no. It was a lot of fun. I don’t regret the experience. I enjoyed it very much. But I’m good on running for office.”
The GOP’s nominee last year, former state Senator and Executive Councilor Russell Prescott, told NHJournal another race “is on the table.”
NHJournal asked Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur, who came in third (23 percent) in last year’s GOP primary, about a potential open seat.
“It’s too early for that decision,” he said. “But if Democrats continue to act like little children and play childish games, the decision will be easier.”
Hollie Noveletsky, the second-place finisher (23.9 percent) declined to respond when contacted by NHJournal. She’s currently vice chair of the state GOP and would have to resign that position if she entered the race.
Interestingly, the most commonly-mentioned Democrat in a potential First District race is the newly-elected vice chair of her party, Maura Sullivan. She also finished second in her primary race for Congress, back in 2018 when Pappas first won the nomination in a 10-way race.
The big-name potential candidate political observers are watching is Shaheen’s daughter, Stefany. Political professionals on both sides say she would be a formidable candidate.
Missing from the conversation: A progressive activist who could tap into the anger of the party’s left wing base at a time when polls show Democrats are frustrated with the current direction of their party.
Meanwhile, there’s also some political calculation underway in the Second Congressional District as Goodlander appears to be seriously considering a Senate run next year, despite having spent less than three months in the House. Multiple sources active in NH-02 politics told NHJournal on Monday the Goodlander talk is more than gossip. And some in the state party’s Democratic establishment aren’t happy about it.
“There are leaders in the party trying to message her that she should stay out of this race, that they don’t want an ugly primary,” a source speaking on background told NHJournal. Asked if they believed the state party organization had the power to stop Goodlander if she decides to run, the source said, “No, they don’t.”
If she runs, two names are already circulating as potential Democratic NH-02 nominees: Former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, who lost to Joyce Craig in last year’s primary for governor; and former state Sen. Becky Whitley, who reluctantly withdrew her candidacy last year after Goodlander and Colin Van Ostern entered the race.
“This experience has given me a front-row seat to the outsized role of money and insider connections in politics,” Whitley said at the time.
On the GOP side, businessman Bill Hamlen finished third (17 percent) in the NH-02 GOP primary last year, and he said he’s interested in running for office again in the future.
“Now that Jeanne Shaheen is retiring, New Hampshire represents the best opportunity for the GOP to pick up a U.S. Senate seat and increase our majority in D.C. I am committed to supporting the GOP in this effort,” Hamlen said. “If Maggie Goodlander chooses to run for the open Senate seat, I would be equally eager to help the GOP win the CD2 congressional seat.”
And 2024 nominee Lily Tang Williams told NHJournal she is “open minded” to the possibilities of running for either the House or Senate.
“I will not rule out running in 2026. I shall make my decision by the end of April.”
