Maura Sullivan

Maura C. Sullivan
Born	(1979-10-18) October 18, 1979
Occupation(s)	Political figure, former federal official, former military officer
Years active	2000s–present
Known for	Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Public & Intergovernmental Affairs; Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs

Maura C. Sullivan (born October 18, 1979) is an American political figure and former federal official. Between 2014 and 2016, she held positions within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Defense during the Obama administration. Sullivan was appointed to the American Battle Monuments Commission in 2010 and began her professional journey as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Iraq War following the September 11 attacks.

Sullivan sought election as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House representing New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, which includes areas such as Manchester, Portsmouth, and Lake Winnipesaukee. She was defeated in the Democratic primary on September 11, 2018, by Chris Pappas. After Pappas announced his intention to run for the Senate in 2026, Sullivan declared her candidacy for his House seat in April 2025.

Early life and education

Sullivan attended Northwestern University supported by an ROTC scholarship. She served as a logistics officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of captain with deployments to Okinawa, Japan, and Fallujah, Iraq. Her military honors include the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Gold Star.

Following her military career, Sullivan completed graduate studies at both Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School in 2009. Subsequently, she held leadership positions at PepsiCo throughout the New England region.

Government career

In 2010, Sullivan joined the American Battle Monuments Commission. On October 1, 2014, President Obama appointed her Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the Office of Public & Intergovernmental Affairs, where she served as the chief public affairs advisor to Secretary Robert A. McDonald. Later, on June 22, 2015, she was named Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, overseeing communications strategy for the Department of Defense.

2018 congressional election

On October 23, 2017, less than three months after relocating to New Hampshire, Sullivan announced her bid for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district. Throughout her campaign, she raised more than $1.5 million and secured endorsements from organizations including EMILY's List, Serve America, New Politics, WithHonor.org, and Vote Vets.

Her candidacy attracted criticism labeling her a "carpetbagger" due to her recent move to the state. Nevertheless, she received support from Marine Corps veteran and U.S. Representative Seth Moulton as well as former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

In the Democratic primary held on September 11, 2018, Sullivan finished second behind Chris Pappas.

2026 congressional election

On April 10, 2025, Sullivan declared her intention to seek a second term in Congress representing New Hampshire's 1st congressional district following Pappas's decision to pursue a seat in the U.S. Senate. Within the initial week of her campaign, she amassed $400,000 in contributions and gained endorsements from organizations such as Vote Vets and With Honor Fund, as well as from Congressman Seth Moulton and Navy veteran Congressman Chris Deluzio.

Soon after her campaign announcement, Sullivan encountered backlash over a Tweet in which she described herself as a "lifelong Granite Stater," despite having moved to New Hampshire only in 2017; she subsequently removed the post.