Longtime Democratic Senator Announces Retirement
Shaheen’s Exit
Jeanne Shaheen’s decision not to run in 2026 turns
“a relatively secure Democratic hold into one of the cycle’s most volatile contests.”
Her popularity and moderate approach previously masked New Hampshire’s competitiveness.
Swing-State Reality
Without Shaheen, “the state instantly reverts to its true swing‑state character,”
where outcomes depend on a few thousand independents and late-breaking suburban voters.
Democrats now face costly campaigns to defend ground once considered safe.
Candidate Challenges
Senate leaders must find a nominee who can “inherit Shaheen’s bipartisan brand while energizing a national base”
driven by ideological priorities.
Republicans, eyeing candidates like Scott Brown or Chris Sununu, see a rare opportunity to flip the seat.
Strategic Significance
Layered onto races in Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, New Hampshire
“becomes a test of which party can adapt fastest” in a cycle with fewer incumbents, more open seats, and little margin for error.
