Rep. Annie Kuster says she will not seek reelection in New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

Rep. Annie Kuster is calling it a career in Washington, telling WMUR she will not seek reelection in November. The six-term incumbent says she will leave Capitol Hill early next year at the end of the 118th Congress.Kuster told News 9 that it's time for a new stage in her life."I spent a lot of time with my family this winter, and we did a lot of skiing and traveling, and I've realized I have a life, and my husband Brad has been very patient," she said. "I want to spend time with my sons as they're heading into their married lives - and hopefully grandchildren on the way one day. And I really want to lean in on helping my colleagues and these fantastic candidates that we've recruited."Kuster said she will also continue to lead the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist, pro-business caucus that has played an increasingly pivotal role in a narrowly divided Congress."The House of Representatives is completely dysfunctional, and my highest and best use is to be out on the battlefield winning back the House," Kuster said. The congresswoman has championed several issues during her time in Washington and is known for her willingness to openly share her personal experiences — disclosing her status as a survivor of sexual assault in her youth; more recently, she has been candid regarding the trauma of being trapped in the House Chamber during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. In Washington, Kuster has developed a reputation for working across the aisle on key issues, teaming up with her former Republican colleague, Rep. Frank Guinta, to create a bipartisan task force to address the opioid crisis."As founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, I have pushed for comprehensive legislation to address this crisis and expand access to treatment and recovery services. As founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, I have worked across the aisle to tackle the scourge of sexual violence and equip survivors with the support they need to recover," Kuster said. The congresswoman's announcement sends a shockwave through New Hampshire politics, creating an open race for the 2nd Congressional District seat she has held since 2013. NH-02 covers a wide and diverse swath of the state from Nashua to the Canadian border, and it's possible several Democrats will step forward to run. Kuster could play a pivotal role in choosing her successor, but for now, she is expressing gratitude to her constituents and her family."Thank you to the people of New Hampshire's Second District who have trusted me to represent them for the past 12 years. Thank you to my husband Brad, my sons Zach and Travis, and my family for always standing with me through this journey, every step of the way. It's the honor of my life to represent my home and my community, bringing our Granite State values and the voices of New Hampshire's Second District to Congress," Kuster said.With each election Kuster won, NH-02 became increasingly viewed as a solid Democratic district, but an open seat is automatically considered more competitive.Kuster said she does plan to endorse a candidate in the race.