In my time in Congress, I can recall the days when bipartisanship and compromise were expected and not deemed taboo. It brought members from across the political spectrum to the table to get things done.
Today’s political climate rewards polarization, insults and stalemate. The 119th Congress is among the least productive in recent memory, marred by gridlock and a lack of incentive to come together to tackle the biggest challenges. While we witness extremism, divisiveness and members who prioritize political loyalty over their constituents’ well-being, we are reminded of the importance of electing leaders who will put their constituents first and work across the aisle to get results.
November 2026 is an opening for our party. As Democrats, we must continue to highlight the economic strain our communities are facing. Here in the Granite State, our small businesses make up 99% of our economy. That means they aren’t just a part of our economy — they are our economy. They have been devastated by the impacts of President Trump’s reckless tariffs and are in desperate need of relief and solutions. If you look at gas prices right now, they are skyrocketing with no relief in sight.
There’s been a dereliction of duty by Republicans in the House and Senate who have thrown out the precedent of checks and balances and fallen in lockstep behind Trump. Granite Staters are paying for this, and without strong leadership to push back, hardworking families are forced to endure this chaos.
Granite Staters have been testing politicians for decades. It’s what makes New Hampshire so special, and it’s what makes our leaders here better. Our country is better when we have public servants who are less focused on soundbites and more on delivering results for their communities. Our elected leaders here know that they can’t take any election or any vote for granted. We are a purple state, and our federal delegation always knows they have to legislate for their constituents first.
Democrats are well overdue to retake the majority in Congress, and when we do, we will prioritize restoring productivity and proven results to Washington. I’ve been honored to serve in Congress and represent our great country abroad, and I know our best days are still ahead, but we can only do that by reinstating civility in Washington and electing leaders who remain committed to putting those principles into practice.
Richard Swett is a former Member of Congress, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, current co-chair for the Democracy Defense Project and a member of the Concord Coalition national board of directors. He is working on economic development projects in Africa.