Jeanne Shaheen will not seek reelection to the U.S. Senate next year, a decision that will end the longtime senator’s historic political career and deals a significant blow to Democrats who were already facing a difficult path to reclaiming the Senate majority.

Shaheen was the first woman elected to serve as both governor and senator in the United States. She turned 78 in January.

“I ran for public office to make a difference for the people of New Hampshire. That purpose has never, and will never, change,” Shaheen said in a video message. “But today, after careful consideration, I’m announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek reelection to the Senate in 2026. It’s just time.”

State Democrats praised Shaheen as “an iconic New Hampshire trailblazer.”

“She has been a fierce advocate for reproductive rights and public education, two hallmarks of her record that includes expanding public kindergarten, increasing access to health care for veterans and military families, and securing millions of dollars to support infrastructure projects and bolster our communities,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley said in a statement. “We are immensely grateful for Senator Shaheen’s commitment to New Hampshire and for all of the ways she has helped make our state a better place for all Granite Staters.”

Even before Shaheen’s decision, Democrats were facing a challenging political map in next year’s midterm elections — especially in the Senate, where Republicans now hold 53 Senate seats compared to the Democrats’ 47, including two independents who caucus with Democrats.

The party that controls the Senate majority also controls President Donald Trump’s most important political and judicial nominations — and his legislative agenda.

At least for now, Maine represents the Democrats’ best pickup opportunity in 2026. Republican Sen. Susan Collins, the sole GOP senator remaining in New England, is the only Republican serving in a state Trump lost who’s up for reelection.

But with a four-seat advantage in Congress’ upper chamber already, Republicans have legitimate pickup opportunities in Georgia, Michigan and now New Hampshire.

Shaheen’s retirement is welcome news for Granite Staters eager for new leadership,” National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott said in a statement. “New Hampshire has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans—and will do so again in 2026!”

Shaheen has been a political force in New Hampshire for decades and climbed through the ranks of Senate leadership to serve as the top Democrat on the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

She likely would have been easily reelected had she sought another term.

Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who served as ambassador to New Zealand in the first Trump administration, was considering a New Hampshire Senate bid even before Shaheen’s announcement. Brown challenged Shaheen unsuccessfully in 2014.

New Hampshire has narrowly favored Democrats in recent presidential elections, but the state has a long history of electing leaders from both parties. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte was elected last fall, when Trump lost the state by less than 3 percentage points.

Shaheen became the first woman elected New Hampshire governor in 1996. She served for three terms and was later elected to the Senate in 2008, where she is serving her third term.

Shaheen was born in St. Charles, Missouri, the daughter of Ivan and Belle Bowers. After graduating from Shippensburg University she met her future husband, Dover native Billy Shaheen, outside a retail store. They have three daughters; Stefany, Stacey and Molly, and seven grandchildren.