Money, of course, isn’t affection. Sullivan learned that in 2018, when she raised heavily and still lost the primary to Chris Pappas. Her challenge isn’t merely to become known. It is to persuade voters that, once they know both women, they will choose her.
Choosing the first
Chris Pappas has held a politically complicated district by being recognizably Democratic without seeming detached from New Hampshire. The next nominee will have to build something similar.
Sullivan may be harder for Republicans to attack on the military, patriotism or preparation for federal office. A Marine who served in Iraq isn’t easily dismissed as soft or inexperienced.
Shaheen may be harder to attack as an outsider. She is unmistakably connected to New Hampshire, although Republicans will portray her as the beneficiary of a political dynasty and use her more aggressive positions on immigration and corporate power against her.
This isn’t experience against inexperience. It is one kind of experience against another.
Sullivan offers military service, federal administration and a more complete economic program. Shaheen offers local roots, municipal government and a political life shaped by health-care bureaucracy, contaminated water and the cost of living here.
Sullivan must prove that New Hampshire became more than the state where she chose to run. Shaheen must prove that she is more than the next person in a famous New Hampshire family.
They agree on enough that the race may finally come down to what voters think each woman would notice first after arriving in Washington: the institution that needs to be fixed, or the family still waiting for it to work.
New Hampshire Democrats will choose their candidate on September 8. Before they choose the first woman to represent the district, they will have to decide which kind of experience they want her to bring.
Bibliography
1. Maura Sullivan for Congress. “Meet Maura.” Official campaign biography detailing Sullivan’s Marine Corps service, Iraq deployment and work in the Obama administration.
2. Citizens Count. “Stefany Shaheen: Candidate Profile.” Biographical information, professional history and Portsmouth public service.
3. Stefany Shaheen for Congress. “Stefany’s Priorities.” Official positions on health care, housing, corporate concentration, energy, immigration and government reform.
4. WMUR-TV. “Stefany Shaheen Announces 2026 Campaign for Congress in NH-01.” May 28, 2025. Campaign announcement and discussion of Shaheen’s Type 1 diabetes advocacy.
5. Citizens Count. “Maura Sullivan: Candidate Profile.” Biographical information, federal service and prior New Hampshire candidacy.
6. Maura Sullivan for Congress. “Priorities” and “Blueprint for a New American Dream.” Official positions on wages, labor, health care, housing, childcare, veterans and economic policy.
7. Stefany Shaheen for Congress. “Dover Mayor Bob Carrier Endorses Stefany Shaheen for Congress.” September 17, 2025.
8. WMUR-TV. “Maura Sullivan Highlights Growing Support in Manchester.” February 17, 2026.
9. New Hampshire Public Radio. Josh Rogers, “Candidates Step Up Fundraising Amid Open Race for NH’s 1st Congressional District.” April 20, 2026.
10. New Hampshire Public Radio. “NH Democrats in 1st Congressional District Running on ‘Fighter’ Message.” May 28, 2026.
11. New Hampshire Bulletin. William Skipworth, “In New Hampshire’s Open 1st Congressional District Race, a Trio of Seacoast Democrats Lead the Way.” June 10, 2025.
12. New Hampshire Bulletin. “The Ballots Are Set: Here’s Who Is Running in New Hampshire’s Primaries This September.” June 19, 2026.
13. New on Rottendog: “Choosing the First” looks at the Democratic primary in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District—and the very different cases Maura Sullivan and Stefany Shaheen are making about experience, roots and who is best prepared to replace Chris Pappas.
14. Read it at https://rottendog.com/article/choosing-the-first/.