Stefany Shaheen Wins New Hampshire House Primary

Stefany Shaheen won the Democratic primary for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District on September 8, 2026, defeating veteran candidate Maura Sullivan. Shaheen's victory comes despite polling that suggested she was trailing in the competitive race to replace Rep. Chris Pappas, who is running for the Senate seat vacated by her mother, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has been a prominent figure in New Hampshire politics, serving as governor from 1997 to 2003 and as a senator since 2009. In support of her daughter’s campaign, she helped raise significant funds, with approximately $740,000, or 39% of Stefany Shaheen's total donations, coming from donors who had previously contributed to her mother. Stefany Shaheen highlighted her experience on the Portsmouth City Council and the Portsmouth Police Commission as qualifications for her congressional candidacy. She positioned herself as the most progressive candidate in the primary and publicly disagreed with her mother’s support for a government shutdown deal last year. Sullivan's campaign faced criticism, including an advertisement targeting Shaheen's family name. In the final days of the campaign, endorsements from former Democratic candidates Christian Urrutia and Carol Shea-Porter provided a boost for Shaheen. Sullivan, a former vice chair of the New Hampshire state Democratic Party, had aimed to consolidate support from the party base, particularly in Manchester. The New Hampshire primary reflects ongoing discussions about political dynasties in the current election cycle.