Senator Jeanne Shaheen is leaning into her considerable political connections to help her daughter, Stefany Shaheen, in a bitter Democratic primary battle in New Hampshire.

With voters set to go to the polls Tuesday, the race to replace Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas has become one of the most closely watched House primaries of the 2026 cycle — and one that has increasingly raised questions about political dynasties.

According to Punchbowl News, Shaheen has been leveraging her relationships with lobbyists and donors to urge them to back her daughter.

She has also reportedly personally intervened with VoteVets, a Democratic veterans group that has spent $2.6 million supporting Maura Sullivan, Stefany’s chief rival.

Shaheen phoned the group to complain about its support for Sullivan, according to Punchbowl.

The intervention comes as the contest has turned increasingly nasty. Sullivan’s campaign has directly attacked Shaheen’s family name in a recent television ad, saying, ‘Stefany’s the kind of person that was born on third base and thought she hit a triple. I want a fighter, not a fancy last name.’ 

Sullivan then accused the 52-year-old Shaheen of believing she was ‘entitled’ to voters’ support, adding, ‘I know I have to earn it.’ 

Stefany, meanwhile, has attacked Sullivan over her support from AIPAC donors and corporate interests.

PunchBowl claim Senator Jeanne Shaheen  personally intervened with VoteVets, a Democratic veterans group that has spent $2.6 million supporting Maura Sullivan,  her daughtert Stefany’s chief rival

Sullivan’s campaign has directly attacked Shaheen’s family name in a recent television ad, saying: ‘Stefany’s the kind of person that was born on third base and thought she hit a triple. I want a fighter, not a fancy last name’

A three-poll average has Sullivan at 27.3 percent and Shaheen at 23.3 percent, according to 270toWin

The race has also undergone a dramatic late shift.

Stefany Shaheen was the early frontrunner, but Sullivan has surged in the final stretch. Three recent polls have put Sullivan ahead of Shaheen.

A Saint Anselm College poll conducted in August had Sullivan at 26 percent and Shaheen at 24 percent. 

A University of New Hampshire survey later showed Sullivan leading 23 percent to 19 percent. And the most recent Tavern Research poll, conducted August 28-31, found Sullivan with a 33 percent to 27 percent lead over Shaheen.

A significant numbers of voters remain undecided, raising the stakes in the final hours before ballots are cast. 

On Sunday, Christian Urrutia, another Democratic candidate who had struggled to gain momentum, dropped out of the race and endorsed Stefany, giving her campaign a last-minute boost with the primary just one day away.

The primary’s late surge by Sullivan comes as outside spending has poured into the race, with VoteVets among the groups backing her. 

NHPR reported that the contest has become increasingly shaped by outside spending and increasingly negative attacks between the two leading candidates.

The GOP primary is also crowded, with Portsmouth businessman Anthony DiLorenzo, state Representative Brian Cole, businesswoman Hollie Noveletsky, Melissa Bailey and Lindsey Anderson among those seeking the nomination. The Republican candidate will not be determined until Tuesday’s primary.

The district could be competitive in November. 

Democrat Kamala Harris carried the district by just two percentage points in 2024, although Pappas won reelection by eight points that year. Pappas is now pursuing the elder Shaheen’s Senate seat. 

Stefany is hardly a newcomer to New Hampshire public life.

Before launching her congressional campaign, she served on the Portsmouth City Council from 2014 to 2016 and later chaired the Portsmouth Police Commission from 2019 to 2024.

She entered the congressional race in 2025, after years working in business, health care and local politics.

Her mother, meanwhile, is retiring from the Senate after nearly two decades in Congress and previously served as New Hampshire’s governor — making her one of the state’s most recognizable Democratic figures.

The Daily Mail reached out to Senator Shaheen, Stefany Shaheen and Maura Sullivan for comment.