Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) has announced that she will not be running for the open New Hampshire Senate seat that Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is leaving at the end of her term. Instead, she is throwing her support behind Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.).
Goodlander expressed her reasons for the decision in an interview with WMUR on Thursday, stating, “We are in the fight of our lifetimes right now. I feel humbled and grateful to so many people across our state who have encouraged me to consider the United States Senate. After much deliberation and discussions, I have concluded that I will seek reelection in the House of Representatives.”
The Impact of Goodlander’s Decision
Goodlander’s choice not to enter the race paves the way for Pappas to secure the Democratic nomination easily. With former Gov. Chris Sununu opting out of the Republican race, the odds for Democrats to retain the seat have significantly improved.
In a social media post, Pappas expressed his gratitude towards Goodlander, calling her “my friend and teammate.” He also pledged his full support for her reelection campaign.
While no Republican candidate has formally declared their candidacy, speculations suggest that former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who narrowly lost to Sen. Maggie Hassan in the 2014 Senate race, may consider running in 2026. However, Brown’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comments.
Goodlander’s decision not only impacts the dynamics of the Senate race but also sets the stage for a potentially different political landscape in New Hampshire.
