Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire)

Jeanne Shaheen is a Democratic U.S. Senator representing New Hampshire since 2009, serving as the state's senior senator and dean of its congressional delegation. She is the first woman in U.S. history elected as both governor and U.S. senator, and the first female governor of New Hampshire . Notable achievements include creating nearly 67,000 jobs as governor while maintaining the lowest tax burden in the nation, expanding public kindergarten, extending health coverage to children, pioneering energy efficiency saving over $400 million, and passing bipartisan legislation like the Clean Power Act. In the Senate, she serves on key committees including Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Appropriations, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship ; she championed the Affordable Care Act, opioid crisis responses, women's rights globally, PFAS water protections, and fiscal reforms. On March 12, 2025, she announced she will not seek reelection in 2026.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Former high school educator in New Hampshire; details on formal degrees not specified in records.
• Early Career: Daughter of a shoe factory manager and church secretary; taught high school, chaired Madbury's zoning board; worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign and managed his New Hampshire effort in 1980.
• State Legislature: Served three terms in the New Hampshire State Senate .
• Governor: Elected in 1996, reelected 1998 and 2000; oversaw post-9/11 National Guard response, repealed felony abortion law, mandated birth control coverage, challenged utilities for competition, and preserved open spaces.
• Federal Roles: Unsuccessful Senate run in 2002; director of Harvard Institute of Politics; elected Senator in 2008 , reelected 2014 and 2020.