For three decades, Bill Shaheen has been one of New Hampshire's most prominent Democratic activists.

The husband of former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, who is now a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Bill Shaheen is also a well-known attorney and a former district court judge. He is a founder and shareholder/director of the Dover-based Shaheen and Gordon law firm.

Shaheen, 63, has long been known in New Hampshire for being plain-spoken, often mincing no words in media interviews.

A Dover native and University of New Hampshire graduate, he is also a retired U.S. Army captain.

While Shaheen has never run for major public office, he has been long involved behind the scenes in politics.

He co-chaired Jimmy Carter’s successful 1976 New Hampshire primary campaign. Carter then appointed him U.S. attorney for New Hampshire.

In 1981, Gov. Hugh Gallen appointed Shaheen judge of the Durham District Court, where he remained for 15 years.

He resigned in 1996 to practice law with Steve Gordon, who had been his top assistant in the U.S. attorney’s office, and to focus on his wife's three successful campaigns for governor.

Shaheen chaired Al Gore’s winning 2000 New Hampshire primary campaign. In 2004, he was the state chairman for Sen. John Kerry’s successful presidential primary campaign while Jeanne Shaheen chaired Kerry’s national campaign.

Bill Shaheen is expected to be closely involved in his wife’s campaign for the Senate following the primary.

He was named a co-chair of the Hillary Clinton campaign in March.