Report: Portsmouth City Councilor May Run for Governor

All eyes will be on the New Hampshire Democratic Convention this weekend as New Hampshire first-in-the-nation Democrat primary candidates meet-and-greet with activists and state politicos make plans for 2016.

At least one local politician may be jumping into the mix, according to Seacoastonline.com.

Portsmouth City Councilor Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and attorney and activist Bill Shaheen, announced this week that she would not be seeking re-election to the city council and may consider a run for the corner office if current Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, runs for U.S. Senate, as some suspect she may.

In the report, Shaheen stated family consideration and whether or not it’s the right time for her to run would be things to ponder before jumping in. She has been promoting her new book, “Elle & Coach: Diabetes, the Fight for My Daughter’s Life, and the Dog Who Changed Everything,” on both national outlets, like “Good Morning America,” and at local events (she’ll be in Concord next month to discuss the book).

Other potential Democrat candidates for governor include Colin Van Ostern of Concord, and Christopher Pappas, of Manchester, both executive councilors. Chris Sununu, another executive councilor, has announced he will be seeking the Republican nomination. State Rep. Frank Edelblut, R-Wilton, is also considering a run.

Some of the state’s politerati, like Dante Scala of UNH, have stated that a Stefany Shaheen vs. Chris Sununu gubernatorial race would be a legendary fight between the next generations of each of the state’s heavyweight political families.

Read the full story on Seacoastonline.com.