Sen. Shaheen tells Biden campaign she does not want to be vetted for VP

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) has declined to be vetted by former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign as a potential running mate.

Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has long touted Shaheen as a possible pick for his vice president, along with fellow New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) and several other possible women candidates.

In March, Biden vowed during a Democratic presidential debate to choose a woman as his running mate.

However, Shaheen has officially denied Biden’s request to participate in the vetting process, a New Hampshire Democrat with direct knowledge of her discussions with Biden’s team confirmed to The Hill.

Shaheen said that she is currently committed to the state of New Hampshire and cited a desire to stay in the Senate in talks with the Biden campaign, CNN reported. Her choice came after Biden’s vetting team reached out to her during initial conversations, according to reports.

The news was first reported by WMUR in New Hampshire. Shaheen told the outlet that she declined approximately two weeks ago.

Shaheen said in a statement to the outlet, “I’m flattered that Vice President Biden publicly mentioned my name as someone whom he would consider. I am not going to comment about his process, whatever that may be. My focus each and every day continues to be serving the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate.”

Hassan agreed to the process and has participated in interviews, according to WMUR.

Shaheen, a former New Hampshire governor, is running this year for a third Senate term. Several outlets have noted that if either Hassan or Shaheen was chosen as Biden’s vice presidential pick and Biden defeated President Trump in November, GOP Gov. Chris Sununu could name a Republican senator to fill the empty seat.

The Hill has reached out to the Biden campaign for comment.

Julia Manchester contributed.