US Rep. Annie Kuster of New Hampshire won’t seek reelection for a seventh term in November

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster of New Hampshire said Wednesday that she will not seek reelection to Congress for a seventh term in November, leaving the state’s sprawling 2nd District open to a possible GOP successor.

“I always said I was not going to stay in Congress forever,” Kuster, 67, said in a statement. She did not explain her decision.

Kuster is the longest-serving member in the history of the mostly rural district, which stretches from New Hampshire’s border with Canada to the Massachusetts line. It includes the cities of Nashua and Concord. The Democratic-leaning district hasn’t been in Republican hands since 2013, when the seat was held by Charlie Bass.

“I will continue serving the people of New Hampshire until the end of my term in January 2025,” Kuster said. “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.”

Kuster, an attorney from Hopkinton, lost to Bass in her first run in 2010. Bass had held that seat for 12 years before getting ousted along with other Republicans nationally in 2006.

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