Pappas considering Senate run after Shaheen announces retirement

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas is considering a run for Senate after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced her retirement Wednesday, while former Rep. Annie Kuster told POLITICO she would take a “serious look” at the seat if he doesn't run.

Pappas has long been considered a likely contender for an open Senate seat, and was floated by several New Hampshire Democratic operatives Wednesday. Kuster said, "If Pappas doesn’t run, I would take a serious look at the race."

Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander is also considering running, according to a source familiar with her deliberations and granted anonymity to speak freely.

Shaheen, who is 78 and was first elected to the Senate in 2008, said she made the “difficult” decision to step aside: “It’s just time.”

“There are urgent challenges ahead, both here at home and around the world, and while I’m not seeking reelection, believe me, I am not retiring,” Shaheen said in a video.

New Hampshire will be a critical battleground in the fight over control for the Senate, but it was already a challenging map for Democrats to retake the majority even before the retirements.

Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) both announced their intention to not seek reelection in February.

President Donald Trump carried Michigan in 2024 and former Vice President Kamala Harris won Minnesota and New Hampshire; Democrats have generally found success in recent Senate races in all three states.

National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) quickly welcomed Shaheen’s decision.

“Another one!” Scott wrote on X. “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!”

Former Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said on Tuesday he was mulling a run for the seat, and with Shaheen announcing her pending retirement, candidates from both parties will need to decide quickly whether they are running.

Scott Brown, the former ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa who lost to Shaheen in 2014, also jumped in with a statement.

“I appreciate @jeanneshaheen’s service to our state and for her support and vote for me as NH’s Ambassador to NZ and Samoa,” Brown wrote on X. “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.”

Both parties could have competitive primaries for the seat.

But Democrats are projecting confidence, no matter who emerges as their chosen candidate. “No Republican has won a Senate race in over a decade in New Hampshire, and that trend will continue in 2026," said David Bergstein, spokesperson for the Democratic campaign arm. "This is exactly the kind of state where the building midterm backlash against Republicans will hit their candidates especially hard.”

"Senator Shaheen is a trailblazer who has worked every day to put New Hampshire first and make a difference for our families, community, and economy. Thank you for always leading with integrity, determination, and effectiveness for our state and nation," Pappas said on X in a lengthy statement that highlighted his time as a volunteer for Shaheen's 1996 gubernatorial run.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called Shaheen “a good friend, a serious legislator, and a fierce advocate for protecting America’s national security interests.”

In the Senate, Shaheen is the ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee and was the Small Business Committee chair when Democrats last controlled the chamber.

“I am determined to work every day over the next two years and beyond to continue to try and make a difference for the people of New Hampshire and this country,” she said in the video. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you New Hampshire.”

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