Stefany Shaheen, the eldest daughter of Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), won Tuesday’s competitive Democratic primary for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District. She defeated Maura Sullivan and several other candidates, despite facing criticism over her family ties. The seat, previously held by Democratic Representative Chris Pappas, became vacant when he decided to run for the U.S. Senate. The district is seen as a battleground for the general election, as former Vice President Kamala Harris won it by just two points in the 2024 presidential election. Throughout her campaign, Shaheen made an effort to distance herself from her mother, criticizing the deal her mother helped negotiate to end the government shutdown in late 2023. She also highlighted her own public service in Portsmouth and her advocacy for medical research. However, her family name still played a significant role in her campaign. Nearly $740,000 of the $1.9 million in itemized campaign funds raised by Shaheen came from donors who had previously supported her mother, according to a POLITICO analysis. One of those donors told POLITICO that Senator Shaheen reached out last fall to seek their support for her daughter. Maura Sullivan, Shaheen’s main rival, focused much of her campaign on challenging the candidate’s family connections. This was especially relevant in a year when many Democratic voters have shown a preference for candidates who are seen as more independent of the political establishment. As the primary race progressed, tensions between Shaheen and Sullivan increased, especially after polls showed a narrowing gap between the two. Both candidates ran attack ads and clashed over campaign finance issues. The race also saw a drop in the number of candidates, with two dropping out in the final weeks—Christian Urrutia, a progressive candidate, endorsed Shaheen before withdrawing. The primary highlighted broader trends in Democratic politics, where candidates with strong family ties to prominent figures can face both advantages and scrutiny. While Shaheen’s campaign benefited from her family’s political influence, she also had to navigate the challenge of proving her own independence and qualifications. The outcome of the primary sets the stage for a potentially close general election race, where the winner will face a Republican opponent in November.