Maura Sullivan Biography
Maura Sullivan is an American politician, Marine Corps veteran, and former Obama administration official. She gained national attention through her military service and work in federal government. Currently, she is running for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election.
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Sullivan was born on October 18, 1979, and grew up in Evanston, Illinois. She attended Northwestern University on a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship. After graduating in 2001, she became a U.S. Marine Corps officer. During her military career, Sullivan served in Iraq, including Fallujah, and reached the rank of captain.
She also spent time stationed in Okinawa, supporting military operations across Southeast Asia. After leaving active military service, Sullivan continued her education at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. She graduated from both programs in 2009. She later worked in the private sector before entering federal government.
In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Sullivan as an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She helped improve healthcare access and services for millions of American veterans. She later served at the Pentagon and worked as a special assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.
Her government work included policies involving military families, diversity, inclusion, and veterans. Sullivan first ran for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2018. She finished second in the Democratic primary to Chris Pappas.
However, she returned to the race in 2025 after Pappas announced his Senate campaign. Sullivan launched her 2026 congressional campaign in April 2025. Sullivan remains a prominent Democratic candidate in New Hampshire politics. Her military background, government experience, and veteran advocacy remain central themes of her campaign.
Maura Sullivan Age: How Old Is Maura Sullivan?
Maura Sullivan is 46 years old as of September 2026. She was born on October 18, 1979, in Evanston, Illinois. She grew up in Illinois before attending Northwestern University on a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship. After graduating in 2001, Sullivan joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an officer. She later reached the rank of captain and served in Iraq during her military career. Her military and government experience later shaped her career in politics. Currently, Maura Sullivan is running as a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election.
Maura Sullivan Height: How Tall Is Maura Sullivan?
Maura Sullivan stands at 5 feet 5½ inches (1.66 m) tall. Her height places her slightly above the average height for American women. Sullivan has built her public profile through her military service, government career, and political work. She previously served as a U.S. Marine Corps captain and deployed to Iraq. Her military background and government experience remain important parts of her political profile.
Maura Sullivan Husband
Maura Sullivan is married to Marc Sorel, a Navy Reserve officer and military veteran. The couple lives on New Hampshire’s Seacoast with their three children. Sullivan has often discussed the experiences of military families, drawing from her own family life. In 2020, Sorel deployed to the Middle East as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer. At that time, Sullivan was expecting their first child during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, their family experienced the challenges that often accompany military deployments. Sullivan later highlighted these experiences while discussing support for military spouses and families. Currently, she continues to identify as a military spouse, mother, and Marine Corps veteran. She also remains active in New Hampshire politics while campaigning for Congress.
Maura Sullivan Children
Maura Sullivan has three children with her husband, Marc Sorel. Their children are Benjamin, Olympia, and Theodore. Sullivan and her family live on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. She has often highlighted her experiences as a mother and military family member. Her husband, Marc Sorel, serves as a Navy Reserve officer, adding another military connection to their family. Meanwhile, Sullivan continues balancing motherhood with her political career. She currently runs for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election. Her campaign also presents her identity as a mother of three and Marine Corps veteran.
Maura Sullivan Education & Harvard Degrees
Maura Sullivan earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in 2001. She attended the university on a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship and received her commission after graduation. Afterward, Sullivan served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer before pursuing advanced education. She later attended Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. There, she completed a joint graduate program and graduated in 2009. Sullivan earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School. Her education strengthened her background in business, public administration, and leadership. Moreover, her academic experience complemented her military and government careers. These qualifications later supported her work in federal government and politics.
Maura Sullivan Political Party
Maura Sullivan is a member of the Democratic Party. She currently runs as a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election. Previously, Sullivan served as vice chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. She also ran for the same congressional seat during the 2018 Democratic primary. Currently, she competes against several Democrats for the party’s 2026 nomination. Recent coverage identifies Sullivan and Stefany Shaheen as leading candidates in the primary race. Moreover, Sullivan campaigns on her experience as a Marine Corps veteran and former Obama administration official. Her political platform emphasizes leadership, veterans, economic opportunity, and healthcare.
Maura Sullivan Congress: New Hampshire House Campaign and Political Career
Maura Sullivan is running for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2026. She launched her campaign in April 2025 after incumbent Congressman Chris Pappas entered the Senate race. Sullivan previously competed for the same seat during the 2018 Democratic primary, finishing second behind Pappas. Currently, she ranks among the leading Democratic candidates in a competitive primary. Meanwhile, Sullivan highlights her experience as a Marine Corps veteran and former Obama administration official. She also focuses on healthcare, economic opportunity, and lowering costs for New Hampshire families. The Democratic primary takes place on September 8, 2026, with the general election following in November.
Maura Sullivan vs. Stefany Shaheen
| Category | Maura Sullivan | Stefany Shaheen |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Maura Corby Sullivan | Stefany Shaheen |
| Political Party | Democratic | Democratic |
| 2026 Race | U.S. House, New Hampshire 1st District | U.S. House, New Hampshire 1st District |
| Military Service | U.S. Marine Corps veteran | No military service reported |
| Iraq War Service | Served in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2005 | No Iraq military service |
| Government Experience | Former senior Obama administration official | Former Portsmouth city councilor |
| Private-Sector Experience | PepsiCo and health technology leadership | Entrepreneur and health technology executive |
| Local Political Experience | Vice chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party | Former Portsmouth City Council member |
| Healthcare Focus | Affordable healthcare and expanding access | Healthcare reform, medical research, and chronic disease advocacy |
| Family Background | Military family background | Daughter of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen |
| Children | Three children | Four children |
| Education | Northwestern University; Harvard graduate degrees | Fairfield University; Harvard Kennedy School; MIT Sloan |
| 2026 Campaign Message | Emphasizes military service, leadership, and independence | Emphasizes healthcare, public service, and New Hampshire roots |
| Previous Congressional Run | Ran for the same seat in 2018 | First congressional campaign |
| Primary Status | Democratic front-runner | Democratic front-runner |
| Key Contrast | Military and federal government experience | Business, healthcare, and local government experience |
Maura Sullivan Policies & Key Positions
Maura Sullivan’s policies focus on healthcare, affordability, veterans, housing, and economic opportunity. She supports Medicare for All Who Want It and stronger prescription drug price controls. Additionally, she wants to protect the Affordable Care Act and prevent further Medicaid cuts. On economic issues, Sullivan supports a $15 federal minimum wage and stronger workers’ rights. She also wants affordable childcare, expanded housing supply, and greater investment in public education. Furthermore, her platform emphasizes veterans’ healthcare, mental health services, and military family support. She also supports climate investments and stronger national security. Sullivan also wants to ban congressional stock trading and increase political transparency. Overall, her policies combine Democratic priorities with her military and government experience.
Maura Sullivan Previous Office
Maura Sullivan’s previous offices reflect her experience in military, veterans, and national security leadership. Before entering Congress politics, she served as an Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under President Barack Obama. In that role, she worked on improving veterans’ access to healthcare and strengthening public engagement. Later, Sullivan joined the Pentagon as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. She advised senior defense leaders on communications, media relations, and public outreach. She also served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy. Additionally, Obama appointed Sullivan to the American Battle Monuments Commission in 2010. These roles strengthened her federal government experience and shaped her 2026 congressional campaign in New Hampshire’s 1st District.
Maura Sullivan Marine & Military Service
Maura Sullivan’s military service began after she attended Northwestern University through an ROTC scholarship. She later earned her commission as a U.S. Marine Corps officer and served more than five years on active duty. During her career, Sullivan worked as a logistics and operations officer and reached the rank of captain. She served in Okinawa, Japan, supporting military exercises across Southeast Asia. Moreover, Sullivan deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, in 2005, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her service earned her the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. After leaving active duty, Sullivan continued supporting veterans and military families. Her military background later shaped her work at the Department of Veterans Affairs and Pentagon.
Maura Sullivan Net Worth
Maura Corby Sullivan’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.78 million to $1.8 million as of 2026. Her wealth reflects years of professional experience across military service, government, and the private sector. Sullivan previously served as a U.S. Marine Corps captain and later held senior positions within the federal government. She also worked in the corporate sector, including leadership roles at PepsiCo. Furthermore, her career included senior responsibilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pentagon. These positions likely contributed significantly to her overall financial standing.