Annie Kuster

Annie Kuster
Born	Anne McLane 5 9, 1956
Birthplace	Concord, New Hampshire, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer, lobbyist
Title	Chair of the New Democrat Coalition (2023–2025)
Known for	U.S. Representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2013–2025), Chair of the New Democrat Coalition
Education	Dartmouth College (BA) Georgetown University (JD)
Spouse(s)	Brad Kuster
Children	2

Ann L. McLane Kuster (née Anne McLane; born September 5, 1956) is an American lawyer, lobbyist, and politician who served as the U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Kuster represented a sprawling district that encompasses much of western and northern New Hampshire, including the cities of Nashua and Concord. Born into a politically prominent New Hampshire family — her father, Malcolm McLane, was a well-known Republican mayor of Concord — Kuster forged her own path in Democratic politics after a career in law and lobbying. She chaired the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist caucus within the House Democratic conference, from 2023 to 2025. On March 27, 2024, Kuster announced that she would not seek reelection to a seventh term, concluding a 12-year tenure in Congress. She was succeeded by Maggie Goodlander in January 2025.

Early Life

Annie Kuster was born Anne McLane on September 5, 1956, in Concord, New Hampshire. She grew up in a family with deep roots in New Hampshire public life. Her father, Malcolm McLane, was a Republican who served as mayor of Concord and was a prominent figure in state politics. Her mother was Susan Neidlinger. Growing up in the state capital, Kuster was exposed to the workings of government from an early age.

Kuster's upbringing in a politically active household provided her with an understanding of civic engagement, though she would ultimately chart a different political course from her father by aligning with the Democratic Party. Concord, as the seat of New Hampshire state government, offered a front-row view of the legislative process and political culture that would later shape her own career in public service.

Education

Kuster attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1978. She subsequently pursued a law degree at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where she earned her Juris Doctor (JD). Her legal education at Georgetown prepared her for a career in law and lobbying that would span more than two decades before she entered electoral politics.

Career

Legal and Lobbying Career

After completing her legal education, Kuster embarked on a career in law in New Hampshire. She practiced at the firm Rath, Young and Pignatelli, a prominent New Hampshire law firm based in Concord. Her work at the firm encompassed legal advocacy and consulting on policy matters.

In addition to her legal practice, Kuster worked as a lobbyist, a part of her professional background that would become a subject of discussion during her subsequent political campaigns. Her lobbying work involved representing various interests before state government, giving her detailed familiarity with the legislative process and policy development in New Hampshire.

2010 Congressional Campaign

Kuster first sought election to Congress in 2010, running for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district seat. She competed in the Democratic primary and won the nomination but lost the general election to Republican Charles Bass, who was seeking to reclaim the seat he had previously held. The 2010 election cycle was a challenging one for Democrats nationally, as the party faced significant losses in the House of Representatives during the Tea Party movement-fueled wave that gave Republicans a majority.

2012 Congressional Campaign and First Term

Kuster ran again for the 2nd district seat in 2012, once more facing incumbent Republican Charles Bass in the general election. This time, in a more favorable political environment for Democrats — coinciding with President Barack Obama's reelection — Kuster prevailed. Her victory was part of a broader trend in New Hampshire that year, as voters elected women to both of the state's congressional seats and both its U.S. Senate seats, as well as electing a female governor.

Upon taking office in January 2013, Kuster represented a district that covered a large and geographically diverse portion of New Hampshire, stretching from the college town of Hanover in the upper Connecticut River valley to the more urban areas of Nashua and Concord. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) placed Kuster on its "Frontline" program for vulnerable incumbents, recognizing that the district would be competitive in future elections.

Early in her first term, Kuster faced scrutiny over unpaid property taxes on her home in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Reports indicated that she and her husband had been late in paying certain property taxes, an issue that Republicans sought to highlight. Kuster subsequently paid the outstanding amounts.

Subsequent Reelection Campaigns

Kuster successfully defended her seat in multiple subsequent elections, winning reelection in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. Over the course of these campaigns, she solidified her hold on the district, which remained competitive but increasingly leaned in her favor as she built name recognition and a legislative record.

Legislative Priorities and Policy Positions

Throughout her time in Congress, Kuster focused on a range of policy issues relevant to her New Hampshire constituents. She was a supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), arguing that the health care law should be improved rather than repealed. This position placed her in alignment with the broader Democratic caucus during the repeated Republican efforts to repeal or dismantle the ACA during the Obama and Trump administrations.

Kuster was also vocal on energy policy, particularly regarding clean energy and renewable resources. After leaving Congress, she continued to speak on these issues. In November 2025, she appeared at Dartmouth College alongside Abigail Hopper, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), to criticize the Trump administration's energy policies, arguing that the administration had stalled progress in the clean energy industry.

Campaign finance records indicated that during her time in Congress, Kuster received contributions from a range of industry sectors, a common feature of incumbent fundraising.

Chair of the New Democrat Coalition

In January 2023, Kuster assumed the chairmanship of the New Democrat Coalition, a caucus of centrist and moderate Democrats in the House of Representatives. She succeeded Suzan DelBene of Washington state in the role. The New Democrat Coalition has historically positioned itself as a pro-growth, fiscally moderate bloc within the Democratic caucus, and Kuster's leadership of the group reflected her own centrist policy orientation. She served as chair through the end of her final term in January 2025, at which point she was succeeded by Brad Schneider of Illinois.

Decision Not to Seek Reelection

On March 27, 2024, Kuster announced that she would not seek reelection to a seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The announcement ended a 12-year tenure in Congress and set off an open race for the 2nd district seat.

The decision prompted statements from colleagues in Congress. Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland, a senior House Democrat, issued a statement honoring Kuster's service, praising her work as chair of the New Democrat Coalition and her contributions to the Democratic caucus.

Kuster was succeeded by Maggie Goodlander, who won the 2024 general election for the 2nd district seat.

Post-Congressional Activities

After leaving Congress in January 2025, Kuster remained engaged in public policy discussions. In April 2025, she appeared alongside former Republican Congressman Alex Mooney of West Virginia at Dartmouth College to discuss concerns about the effectiveness and power of Congress, participating in a bipartisan conversation about how the legislative branch could operate more effectively.

She has also continued to be involved in Democratic Party politics. By late 2025, her endorsement was being sought by Democratic candidates in competitive House races across the country, including in districts beyond New Hampshire.

Personal Life

Annie Kuster is married to Brad Kuster, and the couple has two children. The family has resided in the Concord area of New Hampshire. Her father, Malcolm McLane, was a Republican who served as mayor of Concord and was a notable figure in New Hampshire politics; her mother was Susan Neidlinger.

Kuster's property tax records in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, attracted media attention early in her congressional career when it was reported that she and her husband had been late in paying certain property tax obligations. The taxes were subsequently paid in full.

Recognition

During her time in Congress, Kuster's role as chair of the New Democrat Coalition from 2023 to 2025 represented one of her most prominent leadership positions within the House Democratic caucus. The chairmanship placed her at the helm of one of the largest ideological caucuses in the Democratic conference, giving her a platform to shape the party's centrist policy agenda.

Upon her retirement announcement in 2024, Kuster received tributes from congressional colleagues. Representative Steny Hoyer, a former House Majority Leader, issued a formal statement recognizing her contributions to the Democratic caucus and her work on behalf of New Hampshire constituents.

Her continued engagement in policy discussions after leaving Congress, including appearances at her alma mater Dartmouth College, reflected her ongoing role as a voice on issues such as clean energy policy and congressional reform.

Legacy

Annie Kuster's 12-year tenure representing New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district made her one of the longer-serving members of the state's congressional delegation in recent decades. Her initial election in 2012 was part of a historic moment for New Hampshire, which became the first state to send an all-female delegation to Congress — with women holding both U.S. House seats, both U.S. Senate seats, and the governorship.

As chair of the New Democrat Coalition, Kuster represented the centrist wing of the Democratic Party during a period of increasing ideological polarization in American politics. Her leadership of the coalition placed her in a position to advocate for moderate, pro-growth economic policies within the Democratic caucus.

Kuster's career trajectory — from the daughter of a Republican mayor to a Democratic congresswoman — illustrated the shifting political dynamics of New Hampshire, a state known for its independent-minded electorate and competitive elections. Her ability to win six consecutive elections in a swing district demonstrated her effectiveness as a campaigner and her connection to the concerns of her constituents.

After leaving office, Kuster's bipartisan engagement on issues of congressional effectiveness, including her joint appearance with Republican former Congressman Alex Mooney, reflected a commitment to institutional reform that transcended partisan boundaries.