Hannah Trudo, who previously served as a senior political correspondent for Hill, is contemplating a run for Congress as a Democrat in New Hampshire’s District 1, according to Politico. Having grown up in New Hampshire, she returned home after Democrat Chris Pappas announced his Senate candidacy, thereby vacating his seat.
Trudo confirmed her intentions on X, sharing, “As a fourth generation granite stater, I take our state motto—live free or die—seriously. Under Donald Trump, we are no longer free. The Democrats need to move away from chasing the elusive idea of bipartisanship. We must fight back now.”
She joins a list of media figures considering a Democratic run for Congress. In 2024, CNN analyst John Abron secured the Democratic nomination for New York’s First Congressional District but was ultimately unsuccessful in the general election.
In a memo reflecting on her potential campaign, Trudo mentioned her working-class background, detailing her upbringing as a child of a single mother living on a modest salary in Hillsboro County. “Like many families, we received heating assistance during particularly harsh winters,” she recounted. “My mom couldn’t afford college or a home due to the high cost of living, but she worked diligently as a Title 1 Reading Assistant in public schools and also put in hours at a diner that my great-grandparents owned in the state capital after immigrating from Greece.”
Trudo believes her experience as a journalist in D.C. has equipped her with unique tools suited for higher office. She expressed frustration with the continual narrative of Democrats losing to Republicans, stating, “I’m tired of writing the same story over and over. It’s time to change the dynamic in D.C.” She added, “I’ve experienced it, reported on it, and I understand how to overcome the odds.”
Trudo suggested that a shift is needed within the Democratic Party. “I haven’t fine-tuned my pitch yet,” she acknowledged. “I’ve been holding onto the same passionate ideals for years, but Democrats have to improve.” She specifically called out certain Trump advisors and policies, asserting, “I’ll strive to make our platform accessible and take our commitments seriously. I’m not here for empty talks of bipartisan agreements. We need new leaders ready to provide a strong opposition to Republicans.”
Her last article for the Hill was published on March 7th, and she has also contributed to Daily Beast and Politico. Should she move forward with her campaign, Trudo will join others, including Marine veterans and former Obama official Maura Sullivan, who are also in the race.
Caroline Levitt, previously press secretary for the Trump White House and now the youngest press secretary in history at 27 years old, has also competed for this same New Hampshire seat in the 2022 election.
