Manchester, New Hampshire – Representative Annie Kuster, a Democrat representing a competitive district in New Hampshire, declared on Wednesday that she will not be seeking re-election in 2024. Kuster, who has been in office since 2012 and currently chairs the New Democrat Coalition, stated that she plans to complete her current term ending in January 2025.

The decision by Kuster to step down has the potential to make the 2nd Congressional District in New Hampshire a competitive race in the 2024 House elections, as Republicans see an opportunity to capture the swing district. The district, encompassing Nashua and Concord, has a slight Democratic lean of only 2 points according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index.

In her statement, Kuster expressed a mix of emotions about her decision, calling her time in office rewarding, frustrating, inspiring, and challenging. She emphasized the honor of serving but highlighted the importance of moving forward to new opportunities and challenges. Kuster emphasized the collective responsibility of advocating for a better future and standing up for beliefs.

A source close to Kuster mentioned that her focus will now be on supporting New Democrat Coalition candidates to secure seats in the upcoming fall elections. The source highlighted Kuster’s commitment to energizing the party to regain control of the House. Kuster herself cited the importance of spending more time with her family.

Kuster’s retirement comes amidst Democratic tensions in New Hampshire following the national party’s decision to revise the 2024 nominating calendar, resulting in the loss of the state’s prized first-in-the-nation primary status. Democratic leaders, including Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene, praised Kuster’s dedication and service.

However, not all reactions were as positive, with the National Republican Congressional Committee criticizing Kuster’s decision and attributing it to a desire to distance from President Joe Biden’s policies. The NRCC spokesperson pointed to issues such as the border crisis, rising gas prices, and a sluggish economy as factors influencing Democratic lawmakers’ decisions to step down.