Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) announced Wednesday that she won’t seek reelection in 2026, further complicating Democrats’ efforts to win back a majority.
Why it matters: Senate Democrats are already defending open seats in the battleground states of Michigan and Minnesota. Adding New Hampshire to the list makes reclaiming a majority an even tougher proposition.
- “Today, after careful consideration, I am announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek reelection to the Senate in 2026,” Shaheen said in a video posted on X.
- Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) is “definitely considering” running to replace Shaheen, a source familiar with his thinking told Axios.
The big picture: Shaheen joins a growing list of Senate Democrats who are retiring ahead of the 2026 midterms.
- Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Tina Smith (D-Min.) both decided not to seek reelection earlier this year.
- Senate Democrats will have to protect Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in a red state, with only limited opportunities to flip Republican seats.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has privately asked Democrats up for reelection next year to let him know sooner, rather than later, if they plan to run.
Between the lines: Shaheen’s retirement also will open up a top committee spot for Democrats next year.
- She is currently the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee and has led the party’s response to the shuttering of USAID.
- Another Democrat will now be in line for the gig as the party confronts how to respond to President Trump’s scrambling of the international playing field.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
