New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to retire

• "Today, after careful consideration, I am announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek reelection to the Senate in 2026," Shaheen said in a video posted on X.
• Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) is "definitely considering" running to replace Shaheen, a source familiar with his thinking told Axios.

The big picture: Shaheen joins a growing list of Senate Democrats who are retiring ahead of the 2026 midterms.

• Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Tina Smith (D-Min.) both decided not to seek reelection earlier this year.
• Senate Democrats will have to protect Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in a red state, with only limited opportunities to flip Republican seats.
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has privately asked Democrats up for reelection next year to let him know sooner, rather than later, if they plan to run.

Between the lines: Shaheen's retirement also will open up a top committee spot for Democrats next year.

• She is currently the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee and has led the party's response to the shuttering of USAID.
• Another Democrat will now be in line for the gig as the party confronts how to respond to President Trump's scrambling of the international playing field.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.