New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) announced her retirement this morning, setting up quite the midterm battle in 2026 for an open Senate seat.

📹 Watch Shaheen’s announcement

What to know about Shaheen: Shaheen recently became the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is the first woman to serve in that role. She’s 78 years old and has been in the Senate since 2009.

Why this is a big deal: This means Democrats will be defending open seats in Minnesota, Michigan and now New Hampshire. Shaheen’s home state is very purple: Former Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024 and both of the state’s senators are Democrats, but the state also elected a Republican as its governor in 2024. This will likely be a top race to watch in 2026.

👀 Spotted on Capitol Hill: Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R), who is rumored to be considering running for this Senate seat in 2026, was spotted walking into Tuesday’s Senate Republican luncheon. 📸 Brown posted a selfie (Peep Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in the back.) Brown’s post about Shaheen this morning.

^FYI: Brown was defeated by Shaheen in the 2014 New Hampshire Senate race.

And Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) is “definitely considering” running, per Axios.

Tidbit: While discussing her potential reelection in February, Shaheen asked NOTUS’s Ursula Perano to name three people who are interested in running for her seat. When the reporter didn’t, Shaheen responded: “Well, there you are.” (h/t Business Insider’s Bryan Metzger)