Goodlander passes on New Hampshire Senate race

Goodlander Bows Out of Senate Race, Boosts Pappas’ Chances

Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) has decided not to pursue the open Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen at the end of her term. Instead, she is throwing her support behind Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.).

In a statement to WMUR on Thursday, Goodlander expressed her gratitude and humility: “We are in the fight of our lifetimes right now,” she stated. “I feel humbled and grateful to so many people across our state who have encouraged me to take a look at the United States Senate. After a lot of thought and conversations, I’ve decided that I’m running for reelection in the House of Representatives.”

This strategic decision appears to set Pappas on an easy path toward securing the Democratic nomination. With former Gov. Chris Sununu opting out of a Republican bid, analysts suggest that the Democratic Party’s chances of retaining the seat—or at least sidestepping a contentious primary—have notably improved.

In a post on X, Pappas expressed his gratitude, referring to Goodlander as “my friend and teammate,” and pledged his support for her reelection campaign.

As of now, no Republican has formally declared their intention to run for the Senate seat. However, former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who lost a close race to Sen. Maggie Hassan in 2014, has been dropping hints that he may throw his hat in the ring for 2026.

A spokesperson for Brown has yet to respond to inquiries about his potential candidacy.

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