US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen not to seek reelection in 2026

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen from the state of New Hampshire announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized President Donald Trump's focus on political retribution in an interview with the newspaper.

"It was a difficult decision, made more difficult by the current environment in the country — by President Trump and what he’s doing right now," Shaheen, 78, was quoted.

Shaheen was the first woman in US history to be elected as a governor and senator.

"It’s important for New Hampshire and the country to have a new generation of leadership," she said.

In the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-to-47 majority, Shaheen is the third Democrat to announce retirement this year after senators Gary Peters and Tina Smith.