By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – Saying she wants to focus nationally on the Democrats retaking the House of Representatives and making sure Donald Trump does not return to the White House, U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster said she will not seek a seventh term in 2024.
“It’s good. It’s time,” said Kuster, a Democrat from Hopkinton, New Hampshire, whose District 2 includes Concord, Nashua including the West side of the state and all of the North Country.
The announcement sent shock waves through the state’s political circles with many expecting the veteran to seek another term.
In a telephone interview, she said she has a good idea of who may run to replace her on the Democratic side but did not want to “break the news.”
She said she will focus on completing her term through this year and also as recently appointed chair of the New Democratic Coalition work to recruit candidates to run against Republicans in the fall .
“Our country is at a really critical point,” Kuster said calling Trump an “existential threat” and she said she had to decide on whether to focus the next eight months on keeping her one seat or her ultimate goal to see Democrat Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York become Speaker of the House and Congresswoman Katherine Clark, a Democrat from Massachusetts become House Majority Leader.
She said she has been in contact with President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign and possibly will campaign with them as they go around the country.
She said in a statement that serving the state’s Second Congressional District has been the honor of a lifetime and that every conversation has been insightful and has given her information she needed to serve the people of New Hampshire in Washington.
The 67-year-old has been in office since 2013 and won over former Congressman Charlie Bass who beat her in 2010.
In the last two races, Kuster beat Trump-loyalist Robert Burns, a Republican.
While there have been a handful of Republicans who have allowed their name to be thrown around for the job, only Republican Lily Tang Williams has filed to run.
Kuster has been known as being able to work across party lines but has been a strong supporter of reproductive rights, addiction help and veterans issues.
She called the work inspiring, challenging and at times frustrating and considers herself a “survivor” of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, in which she narrowly escaped a mob in the balcony.
Kuster: We were under attack. We were being hunted. I thought we could die
Her husband Bradford W. Kuster recently retired from 42 years as an environmental attorney. The two have sons Zach and Travis who are now in their 30s, with one recently married.
The announcement brought quick comments from former gubernatorial candidate and Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern and state Sen. Becky Whitley.
Both praised her for her long work on issues that are important to them.
Whitley, a Democrat also from Hopkinton called her a “mentor” and “inspirational” who used her “good ol’ Yankee smarts” to get the job done for her constituents.
Van Ostern wrote on the platform known as X, formerly Twitter, that Kuster has “spoken truth to power” on issues like full rights for the LGBTQ+ community and ending the war in Iraq before either were popular with Democrats.
Statement From Congresswoman Kuster:
“When I was first elected to Congress in 2012, I promised to bring a new approach to Washington. Over the past 12 years, I have been proud to do just that. 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. As chair of the New Democrat Coalition, I have helped bridge the partisan divide and find commonsense solutions to the biggest issues facing our country. While there is still more to be done, we have made great progress.
“This work has been many things — rewarding, frustrating, inspiring, and challenging. But, more than anything, it has been an honor. As your congresswoman, I have had the chance to meet directly with the people who make New Hampshire such an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family. From our small business owners to our first responders, farmers, teachers, veterans, health care providers, seniors, and local leaders, every conversation has been insightful and has guided my efforts in Washington.
“As I look to the future, I am excited by the work and opportunities that lie ahead. We all have a role to play in standing up for what we believe in, advocating for a better future, and pursuing the change that we want to see. I always said I was not going to stay in Congress forever — I will not be seeking re-election in 2024.
“I will continue serving the people of New Hampshire until the end of my term in January 2025. In the months ahead, I will use my time to help Congress build on the progress we have made and finish the job for the American people. I will continue to lead the New Democrat Coalition to help pass comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to move our country forward.
“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.
“Onward!”
Congresswoman Kuster has worked to get critical legislation signed into law for the people of New Hampshire, including many bills she championed.
The Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act, legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the top-secret WWII Ghost Army 75 years after their service.
The Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act, legislation signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act to eliminate out-of-pocket vaccine costs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D.
The STOP Fentanyl Deaths Act, legislation signed into law as part of the SUPPORT Act of 2018 to help better detect synthetic opioids like fentanyl and alert public health officials and law enforcement.
The Safe Connections Act, legislation to help survivors of domestic violence and other crimes cut ties with their abusers by separating from shared wireless service plans.
The Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act, legislation to protect Veteran-owned small businesses.
The Twenty-First Century Dams Act, legislation that was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package to invest in rehabilitating, retrofitting, and removing dams.
First elected to Congress in 2012, Congresswoman Kuster has been a leading voice in Washington for delivering results and finding common ground.
As a Member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, she helped protect Veteran business owners, improve veterans’ access to quality health care, increase service member pay, and address sexual assault in our armed forces.
As a Member of the Agriculture Committee, she helped negotiate two critical Farm Bills, delivering key resources for farmers, foresters, fishermen, and rural communities across the country. She also helped secure critical federal resources to strengthen NH’s food supply chain and support the agricultural industry.
As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, she helped steer our country and our health care system through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the safe and equitable distribution of vaccines, expanding access to telehealth services, and supporting frontline workers. On the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, she helped expand access to high-quality broadband in rural communities. On the Energy Subcommittee, she pushed for legislation to expand clean energy production and lower energy prices for American families. And, on the Health Subcommittee, she advanced critical bipartisan legislation to address the addiction and mental health crisis.
Kuster has built a strong bipartisan record, working across the aisle to solve the problems facing our nation.
She is the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, working to end the addiction and mental health crisis.
She is the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, working to address the scourge of sexual assault and help survivors find justice.
She is the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Ski and Snowboard Caucus, working to support the outdoor recreation industry and protect the winter sports we know and love.
She is also on the Bipartisan 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus and the Bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force.