US Senator Shaheen will not seek reelection, adding to Democrats' hurdles

By Bo Erickson and Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen on Wednesday became the third Senate Democrat to say she would not seek reelection next year, further complicating her party's hopes of recapturing control of that chamber when President Donald Trump's term reaches its midpoint.

"I ran for public office to make a difference for the people of New Hampshire. That purpose has never and will never change," Shaheen, 78, said in a video message. "But today, after careful consideration, I am announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2026. It's just time."

Trump's Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority and Democrats are defending seats in four states seen as competitive by nonpartisan analysts, while Republican incumbents will be on the ballot in just two.

Democrats have higher hopes of recapturing control of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a 218-214 edge. With control of both chambers, Republicans are hustling to push through a legislative agenda including sweeping tax cuts.

Shaheen joined fellow Democratic senators Gary Peters of Michigan and Tina Smith of Minnesota in not seeking reelection. Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, another highly competitive state, is also up for reelection.

Shaheen's popularity from her time as New Hampshire governor and serving in the Senate since 2009 will be missed by Democrats as they look to hold on to many of the state's voters who pride themselves as political independents.

Republicans are also popular in New Hampshire and regularly win statewide, including the state's current governor, Kelly Ayotte, and her predecessor.

But Democrats are not without hope, as several Senate Democrats won in states that Trump won in 2024, indicating that tactful politicians can appeal to some of the president's populist base.

Republicans up for tougher 2026 reelections include Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina and Senator Susan Collins from Maine, the only Republican running in a state that Trump lost.

Democrats could also make a play for Senator Mitch McConnell's Kentucky seat, as he also has chosen not to seek reelection. Democrats hope for a candidate who could capture the state's attention like current Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, whose team has downplayed a potential Senate run.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson and Bo Ericskon in Washington and Brendan O'Brien in ChicagoEditing by Doina Chiacu, Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)