Maggie Hassan

Margaret Wood Hassan is a former member of the New Hampshire State Senate, representing the 23rd District from 2005 to 2010. A member of the Democratic Party, she served one distinct term in the state legislature before transitioning to a successful career in higher political office, including her tenure as the 81st governor of New Hampshire from 2013 to 2017 and her current role as a junior United States senator since 2017. Hassan's political career has been marked by her advocacy for various social issues, including education and healthcare.

Early life and career

Margaret Wood was born on February 27, 1958, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is the daughter of Margaret Byers and Robert Coldwell Wood, a political scientist who held the position of U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Lyndon Johnson administration. Hassan has two siblings, one of whom is the Tony Award-winning actor Frank Wood. Growing up in Lincoln, Massachusetts, she was influenced by her parents' political engagement, participating in activities such as collating mailers for the League of Women Voters.

Hassan attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, graduating in 1976. She then enrolled at Brown University, where she majored in history and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980. During her time at Brown, she met Thomas Hassan, who would later become her husband. After completing her undergraduate studies, she pursued a legal education at the Northeastern University School of Law, obtaining her Juris Doctor degree in 1985.

Following her graduation from law school, Hassan began her professional career as an attorney. From 1985 to 1992, she worked at the Boston law firm Palmer & Dodge. She then served as associate general counsel for Brigham and Women's Hospital from 1993 to 1996. In 1996, she joined the Boston corporate defense and business law firm Sullivan, Weinstein & McQuay. In 1999, she was appointed by then-New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen as a citizen advisor to the Advisory Committee to the Adequacy in Education and Finance Commission, marking her initial involvement in state governance.

Legislative service

Hassan's political career in the New Hampshire Senate began when she first ran for office in 2002, following encouragement from Democratic Party leaders. In her initial campaign, she faced incumbent Russell Prescott but was unsuccessful, losing by a narrow margin. Undeterred, she ran again in 2004 and won, securing her seat in the New Hampshire Senate. During her time in the Senate, which lasted from 2005 to 2010, she represented New Hampshire's 23rd District, encompassing several towns including East Kingston, Exeter, and Stratham.

Throughout her legislative tenure, Hassan was actively involved in various committees, including the Capital Budget Committee, Finance, and Public and Municipal Affairs, where she served as chair. She also held leadership positions, including assistant Democratic whip, president pro tempore, and, notably, Senate Majority Leader, a role she assumed in 2008. As majority leader, she played a significant role in advancing the Democratic agenda, which sometimes led to tensions with Republican colleagues.

Hassan's legislative accomplishments included her involvement in the legalization of same-sex marriage in New Hampshire. She was instrumental in presenting multiple versions of a same-sex marriage bill, ultimately leading to the passage of legislation that expanded marriage rights in the state. Additionally, she contributed to the development and approval of the FY2008-09 and FY2010-11 state budgets, both of which included significant increases in state spending and various tax and fee adjustments.

Despite her successes, Hassan faced challenges in her political career. In November 2010, she lost her reelection bid to Prescott in a rematch, as the Republican Party regained control of both the state House and Senate. This defeat marked the end of her legislative service in the New Hampshire Senate.

Policy focus and district

During her time in the New Hampshire Senate, Hassan focused on a range of policy issues that reflected her commitment to social justice, education, and healthcare. Her leadership as Senate Majority Leader was characterized by efforts to advance the Democratic caucus's priorities, which included initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare and education. She was particularly noted for her advocacy in support of the Affordable Care Act and other healthcare reforms.

Hassan's district, the 23rd State Senate District, included a diverse array of communities, each with its own unique needs and concerns. Her representation of towns such as Exeter and Stratham required her to engage with a variety of constituents and address local issues, from education funding to economic development. Her legislative work aimed to balance the interests of these communities while promoting broader state policies.

In addition to her legislative responsibilities, Hassan's participation in various caucuses, including the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, demonstrated her commitment to specific social issues. Her involvement in these groups allowed her to collaborate with other legislators on initiatives that aligned with her policy interests.

Overall, Maggie Hassan's tenure in the New Hampshire State Senate was marked by her dedication to public service and her efforts to address the needs of her constituents. Her legislative achievements and leadership roles laid the groundwork for her subsequent political endeavors, including her successful campaigns for governor and the U.S. Senate.