Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire is not going to search reelection subsequent 12 months, a call that can finish the longtime senator’s historic political profession and offers a big blow to Democrats, who have been already dealing with a tough path to reclaiming the Senate majority.
Shaheen, who turned 78 in January, was the primary lady elected to function each governor and senator in the USA. A spokesperson confirmed her choice to not search reelection on Wednesday.
Even earlier than Shaheen’s transfer, Democrats have been dealing with a difficult political map in subsequent 12 months’s midterm elections — particularly within the Senate, the place Republicans now hold 53 seats in contrast with the Democrats’ 47, together with two independents who caucus with Democrats.
The occasion that controls the Senate majority additionally controls President Donald Trump’s most vital political and judicial nominations — and his legislative agenda.
No less than for now, Maine represents the Democrats’ greatest pickup alternative in 2026. Republican Sen. Susan Collins, the only real GOP senator remaining in New England, is the one Republican serving in a state Trump misplaced who’s up for reelection.
However with a four-seat benefit in Congress’ higher chamber already, Republicans have authentic pickup alternatives in Georgia, Michigan and now New Hampshire.
Shaheen has been a political pressure in New Hampshire for many years and climbed by way of the ranks of Senate management to function the highest Democrat on the highly effective Senate Overseas Relations Committee.
She seemingly would have been simply reelected had she sought one other time period.
Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who served as ambassador to New Zealand within the first Trump administration, was contemplating a New Hampshire Senate bid even earlier than Shaheen’s announcement. Brown challenged Shaheen unsuccessfully in 2014.
New Hampshire has narrowly favored Democrats in current presidential elections, however the state has a protracted historical past of electing leaders from each main political events. Republican Kelly Ayotte was elected governor final fall, when Trump misplaced the state by fewer than 3 proportion factors.
Shaheen turned the primary lady elected New Hampshire governor in 1996. She served for 3 phrases and was later elected to the Senate in 2008.
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