CONCORD, N.H. (WCAX) – While Democrats continue to say there is a slim chance for them to regain control of the U.S. House, it appears that the GOP is better positioned to keep their majority in the new Congress. And that means New Hampshire Congresswoman-elect Maggie Goodlander will need to be able to work across party lines as she prepares to head to Capitol Hill.
New Hampshire’s congressional delegation will once again remain all Democrats after Tuesday’s election. However, Maggie Goodlander will be taking the place of outgoing Rep. Annie Kuster.
“It’s the honor of my lifetime to represent this district,” Goodlander said.
Goodlander is no stranger to Washington. She has worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserves and in the Biden administration. “I’m going to be thinking a lot of about what Senator Teddy Kennedy said — always find the 30 percent. You might disagree with someone on 70 percent, but find the 30 percent — get it done,” she said.
As it stands right now, Goodlander will likely be in the minority in the U.S. House, though she says Democrats still have a path to regaining control. Republicans far outperformed expectations during Tuesday’s election thanks to Donald Trump’s sweeping victory in both the Electoral College and popular votes.
“My reaction is, I have a lot of listening to do all across this district,” Goodlander said.
Voters say the economy was one of the leading factors as they headed to the polls, and Goodlander says she is well aware that high costs are a concern throughout New Hampshire’s 2nd District. “Whether it is the cost of housing, the cost of child care, the cost of health care and prescription drugs, the cost of groceries,” she said.
Goodlander has spoken with New Hampshire Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, and she says the spirit of bipartisanship she plans to bring to Washington will extend to the Statehouse as well.