1947: Born in St. Charles, Missouri

1973: Moves to New Hampshire

1980: National campaign manager for President Jimmy Carter's reelection campaign.

1984: Manager for Senator Gary Hart's presidential bid. Hart upset former Vice President Walter Mondale in the New Hampshire primary.

1986 & 1988: Ran Paul McEachern's two unsuccessful gubernatorial campaigns.

1990: Elected to State Senate from Madbury; serves three terms.

1996: Defeats Ovide Lamontagne to beecomes New Hampshire's first female elected governor and the first Democratic governor since 1980.

1997: "Claremont 2" decision issued, setting an April 1999 deadline for state to find an education funding solution.

1999: Reaches deal with legislators on education funding to create a statewide property tax and an increase in business taxes.

2000: Vetoes a bill that would have abolished the death penalty. | Reportedly on "short list" of potential running mates for Vice President Al Gore. | Refuses to take The Pledge in bid for third term, wins a four-way race.

2001: Proposes a 2.5% sales tax to reduce the statewide property tax in funding education. The measure is rejected by the State House.

2002: Signs Clean Power Act into law, the first legislation in the nation to address four major pollutants from power plants. | Runs for U.S. Senate; defeated by John E. Sununu.

2004: Named national chair of John Kerry's presidential campaign and vice chair of the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

2005: Named director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government

2007: Some news reports suggest Shaheen may run again for U.S. Senate in a 2008 rematch against John Sununu.

What are the most significant ways that New Hampshire has changed over the past 25 years? New Hampshire has experienced tremendous growth over the past few decades. The growth has brought more development, jobs and greater diversity which has been positive. But, it has had an impact on our beautiful landscape and open spaces. With growth there has also come a loss in the sense of community that makes New Hampshire so special.

What in politics and government has changed the most, especially in New Hampshire, over the last quarter century? The success of the Democratic Party has changed dramatically in the last 25 years. As a result of the midterm elections last year, Democrats are now the majority party controlling the Governor’s office, Executive Council and both houses of the legislature. It was also quite a change to see both U.S. House of Representative seats go Democratic in the last election.

What Granite Stater(s) would you say inspired you? In what way? Former Governor Hugh Gallen was certainly a big inspiration to me. I got involved in state politics working to elect Hugh Gallen governor in 1978. He appointed me to the Commission on the Status of Women which taught me so much about the issues facing New Hampshire families. Former State Senator Susan McLane was also a mentor, encouraging and supporting me as I worked in politics.

What would you consider your favorite spot in New Hampshire and why? I have two favorite spots: Madbury (where I live), a wonderful small town that I believe reflects the best qualities about New Hampshire, and Mt. Washington – a place that perfectly embodies the excitement and beauty of our state.

What would you like to see accomplished in New Hampshire over the next 25 years? I believe it’s important to continue to ensure that New Hampshire is a wonderful place to live; a place that offers educational opportunities for our children and good jobs for our citizens. We also must work to preserve what makes the state so special--its small-town charm, open spaces, and our wonderful ethnic and cultural traditions.