New Hampshire House primary causes division among Democratic power brokers

In New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District, voters will choose a new member of Congress this fall for the first time in 12 years. Former NH Executive Councilor Colin van Ostern and former DOJ Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maggie Goodlander are competing in a Democratic primary to replace Rep. Annie Kuster, who is retiring. Goodlander, recently endorsed by EMILY’s List and Hillary Clinton, has gained momentum against van Ostern. The focus of the campaign has shifted to reproductive rights, with van Ostern attacking Goodlander’s past support for Republicans and Goodlander defending her commitment to reproductive freedom. The race has become unusually costly, with outside groups pouring in over $3.5 million in ads. Notably, Vote Vets, a group supporting veterans in Congress, has spent over $900,000 backing Goodlander. The contentious nature of the race led to former Gov. John Lynch switching his endorsement from van Ostern to Goodlander, citing concerns about the tone of van Ostern’s campaign. Goodlander, drawing attention to her experience working for reproductive rights and emergency reproductive care, has denounced van Ostern’s attacks on her commitment to the cause. The candidates have also criticized each other for working with Republicans in the past. The expensive and heated race in this likely Democratic district has become a focal point for the region’s political landscape.

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