Maggie Hassan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maggie Hassan
Official portrait, 2016
Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025
Preceded by	David Schweikert
United States Senator from New Hampshire
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2017 Serving with Jeanne Shaheen
Preceded by	Kelly Ayotte
81st Governor of New Hampshire
In office January 3, 2013 – January 2, 2017
Preceded by	John Lynch
Succeeded by	Chuck Morse (acting)
Majority Leader of the New Hampshire Senate
In office January 3, 2008 – December 1, 2010
Preceded by	Joseph Foster
Succeeded by	Jeb Bradley
Member of the New Hampshire Senate from the 23rd district
In office December 1, 2004 – December 1, 2010
Preceded by	Russell Prescott
Succeeded by	Russell Prescott
Personal details
Born	Margaret Coldwell Wood (1958-02-27) February 27, 1958 (age 67) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Thomas Hassan ​ (m. 1983)​
Children	2
Relatives	Robert Coldwell Wood (father) Frank Wood (brother)
Education	Brown University (BA) Northeastern University (JD)
Signature
Website

Margaret Wood Hassan (born February 27, 1958) is an American politician and lawyer. She has been a U.S. Senator for New Hampshire since 2017. Before that, Hassan was the 81st Governor of New Hampshire, serving from 2013 to 2017. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Hassan was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied at Brown University and later earned a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. After law school, she worked as a lawyer for several years.

She first ran for the New Hampshire Senate in 2002. She won a seat in 2004 and served until 2010. During her time in the state Senate, she became the majority leader. In 2012, Hassan was elected governor of New Hampshire and was reelected in 2014.

In 2016, Hassan successfully ran for the U.S. Senate, winning a close election. She was reelected in 2022. She is one of only a few women in U.S. history to have been elected both governor and U.S. senator.

Early Life and Education

Maggie Hassan was born Margaret Wood in Boston, Massachusetts. Her father, Robert Coldwell Wood, was a political scientist who worked for the U.S. government. She has two siblings, including the actor Frank Wood.

She grew up in Lincoln, Massachusetts. She sang in school and church choirs. Her parents were involved in politics, and she helped them with political mailings. Hassan went to Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. After high school, she attended Brown University, where she studied history and graduated in 1980. At Brown, she met her future husband, Thomas Hassan. She later earned her law degree from the Northeastern University School of Law in 1985.

Early Career as a Lawyer

From 1985 to 1999, Hassan worked as a lawyer. She started at a law firm in Boston. Later, she worked as a lawyer for Brigham and Women's Hospital.

In 1999, then-New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen asked Hassan to be an advisor on education and finance.

Serving in the New Hampshire Senate

State Senate Elections

Hassan speaking in April 2007.

Maggie Hassan first ran for the New Hampshire Senate in 2002 but did not win. In 2004, she ran again and was elected. She won reelection in 2006 and 2008. During her six years in the state Senate, she held important roles like assistant Democratic whip and majority leader. She represented New Hampshire's 23rd district.

In 2010, Hassan lost her reelection bid.

Key Work in the State Senate

Hassan worked on the state's budget committee. In 2008, she was chosen to be the Senate Majority Leader, a very important position.

As majority leader, Hassan played a big part in making same-sex marriage legal in New Hampshire. She helped pass a bill that allowed same-sex couples to marry. She also helped pass the state budget for 2010-2011.

Senate Committee Roles

• Capital Budget Committee
• Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection
• Finance
• Public and Municipal Affairs (Chair)
• Energy, Environment, and Economic Development (Vice Chair)

Governor of New Hampshire

Gubernatorial Elections

2012 Governor Election

Hassan's official portrait as Governor of New Hampshire

In October 2011, Maggie Hassan announced she would run for governor of New Hampshire. She won the Democratic primary election. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton supported her campaign. Her campaign focused on topics like healthcare.

In the main election, Hassan won against Republican candidate Ovide M. Lamontagne. She won in every county in New Hampshire.

2014 Governor Election

A campaign sign for Hassan in 2014.

In June 2014, Hassan decided to run for reelection as governor. She won the Democratic primary and then defeated Republican candidate Walt Havenstein in the general election.

Governor's Term

Hassan became governor on January 3, 2013. In December 2013, she was chosen as vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association. As governor, she signed a bill to create a commission to study sea level rise.

During a disagreement involving the Market Basket grocery chain, Hassan urged the family owners to solve their problems to protect thousands of jobs.

In July 2015, Hassan vetoed a bill that would have removed the need for a license to carry certain weapons. She also worked to keep funding for health clinics across the state.

Hassan left her role as governor on January 2, 2017, to prepare for her new job as a U.S. Senator.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Senate Elections

Hassan campaigning at a Hillary Clinton rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, in October 2016.

2016 Senate Election

On October 5, 2015, Hassan announced she would run for the U.S. Senate. She challenged the Republican who held the seat, Kelly Ayotte. This election was one of the most closely watched Senate races that year.

Hassan was supported by groups that advocate for women's rights. She also supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential primary. Hassan said her main goals in the Senate would be climate change and reproductive rights.

On November 9, the day after the election, Hassan was declared the winner.

2022 Senate Election

Hassan was reelected to the Senate in 2022, winning against Republican candidate Don Bolduc.

Key Work in the Senate

Hassan being sworn in to the U.S. Senate by Vice President Joe Biden.

In 2021, Hassan was in the Senate chamber when supporters of former President Trump entered the U.S. Capitol. She called the event "traumatizing" and an "insurrection." The next day, she called for an investigation into the security response.

Senate Committee Roles

• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• Committee on Veterans Affairs
• Joint Economic Committee

Political Views

Hassan speaking with Catherine Cortez Masto at a Senate committee hearing in June 2017.

As of September 2021, Hassan voted in line with President Joe Biden's positions most of the time. In 2024, she was named one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, meaning she often works with members of both major parties.

Views on Firearms

Hassan supports a system to check backgrounds before gun sales, especially to prevent sales to people with mental health issues. She was supported by gun safety advocates in her 2016 election.

In March 2018, Hassan and other senators asked for a hearing to discuss the causes of mass shootings and how to prevent them.

Views on Foreign Policy

In October 2023, Hassan visited China as part of a group of senators from both parties. They met with important Chinese leaders.

Views on Immigration

In 2025, Hassan was one of 12 Democratic senators who voted with all Republicans for the Laken Riley Act, a bill related to immigration.

Views on Journalism

In July 2019, Hassan supported a bill to create a memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor journalists, photographers, and broadcasters who have died while doing their jobs.

Views on Minimum Wage

In February 2021, Hassan said she did not support raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. In March 2021, she and seven other Democratic senators voted with Republicans to block this increase as part of a larger bill.

Personal Life

Maggie Hassan's husband, Thomas Hassan, was the principal of Phillips Exeter Academy from 2008 to 2015. The Hassans did not live in the Governor's Mansion when she was governor. Instead, they lived in a house provided by Phillips Exeter Academy. After he left his job there, the Hassans bought a home in Newfields, New Hampshire.

Hassan has two adult children. Her older child has cerebral palsy. She is a member of the United Church of Christ.

Hassan has received several honorary doctorates from different universities.

Electoral History

State Senate Elections

Governor Elections

U.S. Senate Elections

See also

In Spanish: Maggie Hassan para niños

• List of female governors in the United States
• Women in the United States Senate