Stefany Shaheen has secured the Democratic nomination for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, defeating a crowded field of nine candidates in a hard-fought primary race.
Shaheen, a health tech entrepreneur and daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, is projected to narrowly defeat state Democratic Party Vice Chair Maura Sullivan with 90% of precincts reporting, according to Decision Desk HQ.
The seat was vacated by Rep. Chris Pappas, who stepped down to run for retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s Senate seat, creating an open contest in the competitive district.
Sullivan, a former top official at the Veterans Affairs Department during the Obama administration, was considered Stefany Shaheen’s most formidable opponent among the nine Democratic candidates seeking the nomination.
The primary grew increasingly hostile in the months leading up to the vote, with Sullivan launching pointed attacks against Shaheen’s family name and political standing in the state.
Sullivan aired an ad calling Shaheen a “fancy last name” and claiming the younger Shaheen felt “entitled” to New Hampshirites’ votes, a line of attack that drew significant attention throughout the race.
Shaheen fired back at Sullivan over her donor ties, accusing Sullivan of taking money from AIPAC, Palantir, and others as the campaign turned sharply negative in its final stretch.
AIPAC has become a focal point in the midterms amid the party’s divided opinion over how far to support Israel, making Sullivan’s alleged ties to the organization a potent line of attack.
Palantir donations have also become a source of tension in some primaries given the company’s role as a contractor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, adding another layer of controversy to Sullivan’s fundraising record.
The victory places Stefany Shaheen in a strong position heading into the general election, where she will compete for a seat that Democrats are eager to hold in the competitive New Hampshire district.
The race reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party nationally over foreign policy, immigration enforcement, and whether political dynasties still carry electoral weight with primary voters.
Shaheen’s win marks a significant moment for New Hampshire politics, with the Shaheen family name now attached to yet another high-stakes congressional contest in the state.
