Jeanne Shaheen won't seek reelection for U.S. Senate: Who could run for her seat in New Hampshire?

After U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen's decision not to seek reelection in 2026, the race for her seat is heating up, with potential candidates from both parties beginning to emerge. This opens the door for a competitive race that could shape the future of New Hampshire's representation in the U.S. Senate.

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Democratic contenders: Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander consider Senate run

Two prominent Democratic politicians, Rep. Chris Pappas and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, are reportedly considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat. Sources close to both representatives told WMUR that they are weighing the option of running for the open seat.

• Chris Pappas, who represents New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, secured his third term in Congress after defeating Republican Russell Prescott by a margin of 8 percentage points.
• Maggie Goodlander, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, is early into her first term. She won her seat by defeating Republican Lily Tang Williams by more than 5 percentage points in the general election.

Neil Levesque, Director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, commented on the situation, stating, “The definition of a House member is someone who wants to be in the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Senate is the best club in the world, that’s what they call it.” He further emphasized that the Democratic primary could be wide open and highly competitive if both Pappas and Goodlander decide to run.

Republican contenders: Scott Brown and Chris Sununu weigh Senate bid

On the Republican side, Scott Brown, a former U.S. senator from Massachusetts, is considering a comeback. Brown served in the U.S. Senate from 2010 to 2013 and previously ran for the Senate seat in New Hampshire in 2014, but lost. He expressed his interest in the race during an interview with WMUR in December. On social media, Brown shared his thoughts on Shaheen's decision not to run, stating, “Now it’s time for New Hampshire to have someone in the delegation who fights for our priorities and stands with, not against, the Trump agenda.”

Another Republican heavyweight considering a run is former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. Sununu told the Washington Times that he hasn’t ruled out a Senate bid and has been reflecting on the possibility after seeing President Donald Trump’s focus on making the federal government more efficient. Sununu had considered running for Senate in 2022 but ultimately decided to run for governor instead.

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Why the New Hampshire Senate race matters?

This race is expected to have significant national implications, especially regarding the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. By the time Jeanne Shaheen completes her term in 2026, Democrats will have held the seat for 18 years. The seat is likely to be fiercely contested, with both national Republican and Democratic organizations eager to secure it.

Neil Levesque also highlighted the high stakes, stating, “Republicans and Democrats nationally want to keep this seat. The Trump administration has the ability to raise a lot of money because he’s the president, but Democrats have held this seat for a long time.” He added that New Hampshire could see significant national fundraising, as both parties will see this seat as a major opportunity.