The former Marine officer, who was sent to the Iraq War and later served in the Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Bureau, was the first major candidate to jump into the famous campaign for an open Congressional seat in Swing State New Hampshire under former President Barack Obama.
Democrat Maura Sullivan said in an interview with Fox News, “Our country clearly needs a new generation of leadership, and Democrats need a new leadership and I’m running to be one of those leaders.”
“The issues we face are American issues, not Democrats or Republicans, so I am serving to serve,” Sullivan said in a statement announcing his candidacy in the race to make fourth-term Democrats, Chris Pappas a success.”
Pappas launched a campaign last week to take over long-time Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Jeanne Shaheen recently said she will retire at the end of next year, rather than bidding for her fourth year term representing New Hampshire in the Senate.
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Rep. Chris Papas, DN.H. announced a bid to make Democrat Jeanne Shaheen successful in Manchester, New Hampshire on April 3, 2025 (AP Photo/Robert F. Bucati)
His seat, New Hampshire’s First Congressional District, covers the eastern half of northern New England, and Republicans are aiming to turn it from blue to red in next year’s midterm elections. Racing is expected to be expensive and competitive.
This is Sullivan’s second bid for council in the district. She came second for Pappas in the busy 11 Democratic primary in 2018, when lawmakers first won the office.
Sullivan, Democrat Vice-Speaker of New Hampshire, has targeted President Donald Trump and his most visible White House advisers in a campaign launch video she posted on social media.
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“We saw a lot of our fellow Marines bring their life to this country and see Donald Trump and Elon Musk tear it apart,” Sullivan said. Videos shared on x. “They are increasing the costs of families in New Hampshire, making it even more difficult to own a home and pay the bill. That’s why I run for Congress, keeping American promises and ensuring a better future for my children.”
“I’ve heard from all the people in New Hampshire that they’re worried, they’re scared and frustrated, and I’m the same,” Sullivan said in a digital interview with Fox News.
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On the left, Maura Sullivan meets Democratic officials and activists after announcing his candidacy for the US home in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District in Manchester, New Hampshire (Maura Sullivan Campaign) on April 10, 2025
Sullivan is the first major contender to race, but she probably won’t be the last one.
Sen. Tom Sherman, a doctor and a 2022 Democratic gubernatorial candidate for New Hampshire, told Fox News he was “definitely interested” in Congress’s potential bids, saying he would “keep my options open.”
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Also contemplating the run is Sen. John Morgan, a former state senator from Cybersecurity executive who told Fox News he was “kicking the tires” during a Congressional campaign.
“New Hampshire is part of my heart and soul,” Morgan said, adding, “It’s really time for me to need bold leadership.”
Democratic state Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka is considered a potential competitor to be a nomination.
In the Republican nomination race, former Senator and former executive councillor Russell Prescott, a 2024 nominee who lost to Pappas, is pondering another run for Congress.
Democrat Maura Sullivan announced his candidacy in the US home in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in the campaign launch video on April 10, 2025 (Maura Sullivan Campaign)
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So does Hollie Nobletsky, Joe Kelly Levasseur and Chris Bright.
State Attorney General John Formera is considered a candidate for the GOP nomination.
Paul Steinhauser is a political reporter based in New Hampshire.
