2nd Congressional District Rep. Kuster Won’t Seek Re-Election

CONCORD, NH — U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster has decided not to seek re-election to Congress after almost 11 years in office.

Kuster, a Democrat who lives in Hopkinton and is also an attorney and lobbyist, made the announcement Wednesday morning. She said she was excited about the work and future opportunities while standing up for what she and others believe in.

“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 thanked he supporters and family for “always standing with me through this journey, every step of the way.” She said it was “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 posted a list of accomplishments during her time in office, including:

• 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.

Other issues include:

• 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 also highlighted bipartisanship:

• 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.

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