Maggie Goodlander, a former senior official in the Biden Administration and wife of National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, has announced her candidacy for Congress in New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District. She aims to succeed longtime Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster, who is retiring rather than seeking re-election. Goodlander, a Yale Law School graduate, comes from a prominent New Hampshire family with ties to state Republican politics. Her background includes serving as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and working as an adviser to late Senators Joe Lieberman and John McCain.
While Goodlander may face scrutiny over her ties to Republicans and residency, she is likely to draw national attention to the New Hampshire race and potentially receive high-profile endorsements. Her entry into the Democratic primary field alongside candidates like Colin Van Ostern and State Sen. Becky Whitley could potentially shift the landscape and bring excitement to one of the nation’s top congressional races. Goodlander’s campaign highlights her roots in Nashua, where her family has been for over 100 years, despite spending much of her time in Washington, D.C., with Sullivan due to work commitments.
Goodlander’s candidacy in the Second Congressional District, where she grew up, could be a positive addition to the race. While she last voted in the district in 2008, living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the First Congressional District, this geographical situation does not impede her from running in the Second District. The U.S. Constitution only requires candidates to reside in the state in which they are running, not necessarily in the specific congressional district. Goodlander’s campaign video emphasizes her connections to Nashua, where she was born after her mother voted on Election Day.
Goodlander’s experience in the Biden Administration and her ties to Democratic politics through her husband Sullivan, who has served as a senior adviser to several prominent figures and campaigns, provide her with a foundation for her congressional bid. Her campaign is expected to draw attention due to her background and potential impact on the race to succeed Kuster in a key battleground state. With a strong network and bipartisan record, Goodlander’s entry into the race could shake up the dynamics and offer an exciting addition to the race for the Second Congressional District in New Hampshire.
