Veteran New Hampshire State Senator Cindy Rosenwald Announces Retirement

The deputy minority leader is stepping down after 22 years in state politics.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:24pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a lone state capitol building at dusk, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, capturing the quiet contemplation of a political career coming to an end.The quiet conclusion of a long legislative career reflects the changing political landscape in New Hampshire.Nashua Today

State Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, the deputy minority leader of the New Hampshire Senate, announced she will not seek re-election in November, capping a 22-year career in state politics that included serving in both the state House and Senate.

Why it matters

Rosenwald has been a prominent Democratic voice in the New Hampshire legislature, known for her work on issues like Medicaid expansion, disability services, and the opioid crisis. Her retirement will create an open seat that both parties will likely compete for in the 2026 election.

The details

Rosenwald first came to the State House in 2005 as a state representative, serving until 2018 when she was elected to the state Senate. As deputy minority leader since 2020, she has been an outspoken critic of recent Republican initiatives. Rosenwald cited her work on Medicaid expansion, ending the waitlist for state disability services, and serving on the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission as among her proudest accomplishments.

  • Rosenwald has served in the New Hampshire legislature since 2005.
  • She was elected to the state Senate in 2018 and named deputy minority leader in 2020.
  • Rosenwald announced her retirement on April 13, 2026.

The players

Cindy Rosenwald

A Democratic state senator representing Nashua, New Hampshire, and the deputy minority leader of the state Senate. She has served in the legislature for 22 years, including in the state House from 2004-2018.

Rebecca Perkins-Kwoka

The minority leader of the New Hampshire state Senate, of which Rosenwald was the deputy.

Ray Buckley

The chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, who praised Rosenwald's career and service.

Carrie Sorensen

Rosenwald's daughter, who is also a Democratic state representative from Portsmouth.

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What they’re saying

“Serving the people of Nashua and New Hampshire has been the honor of my life. When I first came to the State House in 2005, I made a promise to myself that I would fight every day for the people who needed a voice in Concord most — those without access to care, those waiting for support, those falling through the cracks of a system that too often forgot them. I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish together over these years.”

— Cindy Rosenwald, State Senator

“As someone who has known Cindy Rosenwald for more than 20 years, I know her career has been defined by her unwavering focus on delivering a balanced budget and real results for New Hampshire families. New Hampshire Democrats are immensely grateful for her years of service, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

— Ray Buckley, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair

What’s next

Rosenwald's retirement will create an open seat in the New Hampshire state Senate that both Democrats and Republicans will likely compete to fill in the 2026 election.

The takeaway

Rosenwald's retirement marks the end of a long and impactful career in the New Hampshire legislature, where she was known as a champion for issues like healthcare access, disability services, and combating the opioid crisis. Her departure will leave a void in the state's Democratic leadership that the party will need to fill.