Shaheen’s political identity is deeply rooted in Portsmouth. She served in city government, worked on health and environmental issues and has received support from local officials elsewhere on the Seacoast, including Dover Mayor Bob Carrier.⁷
Sullivan also lives in Portsmouth, but she has made a conspicuous effort to build strength in Manchester. Her campaign announced endorsements from 38 city officials, including majorities of the Board of Aldermen and School Committee.⁸
That doesn’t prove Manchester belongs to Sullivan or the Seacoast belongs to Shaheen. Endorsements aren’t votes. What they do show is how the two campaigns are trying to assemble their coalitions.
Shaheen begins with the stronger New Hampshire name and a long Portsmouth history. Sullivan has the money and organization to prevent familiarity from settling the race before voters take a closer look. She has repeatedly led the Democratic field in fundraising.⁹
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.