Stefany Shaheen defeats Obama-era official Maura Sullivan in a key New Hampshire House primary, advancing to a crucial 2026 midterm race.
NEW HAMPSHIRE — Stefany Shaheen, daughter of retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, has won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, defeating former Obama administration official Maura Sullivan in a closely watched race.
Shaheen’s victory puts her in position to compete for the open House seat being vacated by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., who is running for the U.S. Senate.
The New Hampshire contest is considered an important race for Democrats as the party looks to defend the district and pursue control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections.
Shaheen defeats Obama-era rival
The Democratic primary featured a crowded field, with Shaheen and Sullivan emerging as the two leading contenders.
Sullivan brought significant political experience to the contest. A Marine veteran, she served in the Obama administration in 2014 as an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs and later worked as a health technology executive.
Shaheen, meanwhile, benefited from the endorsement of her mother, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who announced her retirement last year.
Jeanne Shaheen publicly backed her daughter’s campaign, highlighting Stefany’s ties to the district, her business experience, service on the Portsmouth City Council and advocacy work on health care and clean water.
That endorsement proved significant in a primary where both leading candidates had established political credentials.
A closely watched House race
The primary attracted eight Democratic candidates seeking to replace Pappas, who has represented the district since 2019.
Pappas’ decision to pursue a Senate bid created an open-seat contest and turned the district into a major focus for Democrats ahead of the November election.
Shaheen will now advance to the general election on Nov. 3, where she will seek to keep the seat in Democratic hands.
The district’s importance extends beyond New Hampshire. Democrats are expected to target competitive House districts nationwide as they attempt to gain enough seats to challenge Republican control of Congress.
Sullivan raised more money
The primary also highlighted a significant contrast in campaign resources.
Sullivan raised approximately $3.6 million, compared with about $2.4 million for Shaheen, according to Federal Election Commission records cited by Fox News.
Despite Sullivan’s fundraising advantage, Shaheen benefited from her mother’s political support and emerged as the eventual Democratic nominee.
Sullivan campaigned on her military and federal government experience, emphasizing her work in the Obama administration and her background in health care.
Her platform included strengthening the Department of Veterans Affairs, opposing President Donald Trump’s tariffs, increasing federal housing investment and addressing what she described as price gouging.
Shaheen prepares for November showdown
Shaheen’s nomination now sets the stage for a general election fight over a seat Democrats are determined to retain.
Her campaign emphasized issues including health care, housing and environmental concerns, while also proposing Medicare for All, expanded tax breaks for first-time homebuyers and changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The race will be closely watched as the 2026 midterm campaign intensifies. With Pappas leaving the district to pursue a Senate seat, both parties have an opportunity to reshape the political landscape in New Hampshire.
For Shaheen, Tuesday’s primary victory marks the end of a competitive Democratic contest and the beginning of a potentially tougher battle in November.
The outcome could ultimately have broader implications for the fight for control of the House, making New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District one of the races to watch as the midterm elections approach.
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