New Hampshire's Most Contentious Democratic Primary of the Cycle Divides the State
Retiring Rep. Ann McLane Kuster has strategically assessed her allies both locally and in Washington, showcasing her proactive involvement in the race to succeed her.
TroibNews 
The Democratic primary season has culminated in a heated battle in New Hampshire, where a dominant local figure is contending against a Washington D.C. lawyer linked closely with the Biden White House. A major topic that has galvanized Democrats nationally—abortion rights—has become a point of division within the race.
Tensions escalated dramatically when Colin Van Ostern aired a commercial accusing his opponent, Maggie Goodlander, of contributing financially to "pro-life Republicans," and questioned her commitment to abortion rights. This message was conveyed by Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, who formerly employed Van Ostern and is a retiring centrist congresswoman.
In retaliation, Goodlander's supporters quickly defended her, highlighting her personal ordeal with a traumatic late miscarriage and clarifying that her political donations were unrelated to abortion issues. According to Goodlander, her motivations for the donations were based on other political stances of the recipients.
Initially, Kuster intended a seamless transition of her Democratic-leaning seat to Van Ostern, her ex-campaign manager. However, Goodlander, boasting experience in the Biden administration, has gained momentum, now slightly leading as the favorite for the upcoming Tuesday primary.
Accusations have also been directed at Goodlander, alleging underhanded tactics by her campaign. Some of Van Ostern's backers have voiced concerns over the influence of her husband, Jake Sullivan, a White House national security advisor, although he has remained discreet about his wife’s campaign among Democrats.
The Democratic infighting is peaking just weeks before the general election, highlighting internal divisions at a time when the party seeks to present a unified front for 2024 and regain congressional control.
Kuster choosing to step down from a women's group she helped establish after it endorsed Goodlander reflects the deepening rifts. Additionally, some members of the New Democrat Coalition, which Kuster leads, have expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of resources being channeled toward attacking Goodlander rather than more competitive races slated for November.
Rep. Seth Moulton, supporting Goodlander and a member of the New Democrat Coalition, emphasized the need to support strong Democratic candidates and focus on opposing Republicans rather than internal conflicts.
Kuster defends her actions as necessary to maintain her swing district, which she has held for twelve years and only boasts 30 percent registered Democrats:
"I probably have a better sense than Seth Moulton about what it’s going to take to win in November,” said Kuster.
The friction was already present before Kuster’s controversial advertisement. An earlier ad by VoteVets endorsing Goodlander criticized Van Ostern as a “perennial candidate” and accused his venture capital firm of financial misconduct. Following this, Goodlander outspent Van Ostern significantly in advertisement expenses.
Tensions boiled over when Kuster directly targeted Goodlander in an ad, accusing her of long-term residence outside the district and of donating to anti-abortion Republicans—a particularly sensitive accusation after Goodlander's personal ordeal involving a stillbirth in an unsupported environment.
Despite the outcry, Kuster maintained that voters had the right to know about Goodlander's past contributions:
“It shouldn't be a secret that she gave thousands to pro-life Republicans,” Kuster argued in her defense after backlash regarding the advertisement.
In the aftermath, notable figures in New Hampshire, including former Governor John Lynch and Gary Hirshberg, shifted their endorsements from Van Ostern to Goodlander. Lynch distanced himself from Van Ostern's campaign, criticizing its negative tactics.
Goodlander expressed surprise at Kuster's attack but remained focused on the race against Van Ostern:
“He knows my personal experience and story, and I think the kind of campaign that he's decided to run is deeply dishonest and disgraceful,” she stated.
The controversy has echoed through Washington as well. The endorsement of Goodlander by Elect Democratic Women led to Kuster resigning from its executive board, revealing divisions even among her colleagues. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are puzzled over the party’s spending on such conflicts when critical races loom in the broader electoral landscape.The ongoing strife within the party has not only affected candidates on the ground but also shaken alliances within the Democratic establishment. Kuster’s retreat from leadership positions in advocacy groups adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by the party's coalition as it heads toward the general election.
In Washington, lawmakers are acutely aware that resources and attention are finite, especially with crucial seats potentially hanging in the balance. The focus on a primary battle in a district perceived as more secure has led to frustration among members who believe that energy should be redirected toward more competitive races elsewhere.
“This is a distraction at a time when we should be consolidating our resources and focusing on flipping seats that could truly impact our majority,” said a Democratic lawmaker who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. The sentiment underscores a growing concern that infighting could undermine the Democrats' overall strategy as the 2024 elections approach.
Furthermore, the divide reflects broader ideological rifts within the Democratic Party. As progressive and moderate factions vie for influence in pivotal races, internal conflicts are becoming more evident. Some argue that these quarrels not only dilute campaign resources but also risk alienating critical voter blocs that Democrats will need in November.
The dynamics in New Hampshire exemplify how local races can sometimes foreshadow larger trends affecting the national party. As Goodlander’s campaign gains traction, it presents a case study in the intersection of personal narratives with the shifting political landscape. Her story of resilience and defiance against the backdrop of the abortion rights debate resonated with many voters, making it an essential element of her campaign narrative.
Political analysts are now closely watching how this primary unfolds and its implications for Democrats moving forward. The stakes are high: the outcome will not only determine a nominee but also shape the narrative around Democratic unity—or division—in a critical period leading up to the 2024 elections.
As the primary date nears, both candidates ramp up their outreach efforts. Goodlander’s campaign is emphasizing her experience and her commitment to protecting abortion rights, while Van Ostern seeks to reinforce his ties to local Democratic leaders and portray himself as the candidate most capable of holding the seat in the general election.
The battle lines are clearly drawn, and as voters prepare to make their voices heard, the tension reflects broader challenges facing a party trying to navigate its identity while preparing for an election cycle that promises to be fiercely contested. The outcome could either signal a reinvigorated and united Democratic front or highlight the fissures that make the party vulnerable as they aim for congressional control.
With the primary just around the corner, voters are poised to make a decision that will reverberate beyond New Hampshire, shaping not only the future of these two candidates but also the trajectory of the Democratic Party in what promises to be an intense electoral season. As the race closes in, both Goodlander and Van Ostern remain focused on rallying their supporters and securing the necessary votes to emerge victorious in a primary that will undoubtedly define their political futures.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
Tensions escalated dramatically when Colin Van Ostern aired a commercial accusing his opponent, Maggie Goodlander, of contributing financially to "pro-life Republicans," and questioned her commitment to abortion rights. This message was conveyed by Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, who formerly employed Van Ostern and is a retiring centrist congresswoman.
In retaliation, Goodlander's supporters quickly defended her, highlighting her personal ordeal with a traumatic late miscarriage and clarifying that her political donations were unrelated to abortion issues. According to Goodlander, her motivations for the donations were based on other political stances of the recipients.
Initially, Kuster intended a seamless transition of her Democratic-leaning seat to Van Ostern, her ex-campaign manager. However, Goodlander, boasting experience in the Biden administration, has gained momentum, now slightly leading as the favorite for the upcoming Tuesday primary.
Accusations have also been directed at Goodlander, alleging underhanded tactics by her campaign. Some of Van Ostern's backers have voiced concerns over the influence of her husband, Jake Sullivan, a White House national security advisor, although he has remained discreet about his wife’s campaign among Democrats.
The Democratic infighting is peaking just weeks before the general election, highlighting internal divisions at a time when the party seeks to present a unified front for 2024 and regain congressional control.
Kuster choosing to step down from a women's group she helped establish after it endorsed Goodlander reflects the deepening rifts. Additionally, some members of the New Democrat Coalition, which Kuster leads, have expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of resources being channeled toward attacking Goodlander rather than more competitive races slated for November.
Rep. Seth Moulton, supporting Goodlander and a member of the New Democrat Coalition, emphasized the need to support strong Democratic candidates and focus on opposing Republicans rather than internal conflicts.
Kuster defends her actions as necessary to maintain her swing district, which she has held for twelve years and only boasts 30 percent registered Democrats:
"I probably have a better sense than Seth Moulton about what it’s going to take to win in November,” said Kuster.
The friction was already present before Kuster’s controversial advertisement. An earlier ad by VoteVets endorsing Goodlander criticized Van Ostern as a “perennial candidate” and accused his venture capital firm of financial misconduct. Following this, Goodlander outspent Van Ostern significantly in advertisement expenses.
Tensions boiled over when Kuster directly targeted Goodlander in an ad, accusing her of long-term residence outside the district and of donating to anti-abortion Republicans—a particularly sensitive accusation after Goodlander's personal ordeal involving a stillbirth in an unsupported environment.
Despite the outcry, Kuster maintained that voters had the right to know about Goodlander's past contributions:
“It shouldn't be a secret that she gave thousands to pro-life Republicans,” Kuster argued in her defense after backlash regarding the advertisement.
In the aftermath, notable figures in New Hampshire, including former Governor John Lynch and Gary Hirshberg, shifted their endorsements from Van Ostern to Goodlander. Lynch distanced himself from Van Ostern's campaign, criticizing its negative tactics.
Goodlander expressed surprise at Kuster's attack but remained focused on the race against Van Ostern:
“He knows my personal experience and story, and I think the kind of campaign that he's decided to run is deeply dishonest and disgraceful,” she stated.
The controversy has echoed through Washington as well. The endorsement of Goodlander by Elect Democratic Women led to Kuster resigning from its executive board, revealing divisions even among her colleagues. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are puzzled over the party’s spending on such conflicts when critical races loom in the broader electoral landscape.The ongoing strife within the party has not only affected candidates on the ground but also shaken alliances within the Democratic establishment. Kuster’s retreat from leadership positions in advocacy groups adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by the party's coalition as it heads toward the general election.
In Washington, lawmakers are acutely aware that resources and attention are finite, especially with crucial seats potentially hanging in the balance. The focus on a primary battle in a district perceived as more secure has led to frustration among members who believe that energy should be redirected toward more competitive races elsewhere.
“This is a distraction at a time when we should be consolidating our resources and focusing on flipping seats that could truly impact our majority,” said a Democratic lawmaker who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. The sentiment underscores a growing concern that infighting could undermine the Democrats' overall strategy as the 2024 elections approach.
Furthermore, the divide reflects broader ideological rifts within the Democratic Party. As progressive and moderate factions vie for influence in pivotal races, internal conflicts are becoming more evident. Some argue that these quarrels not only dilute campaign resources but also risk alienating critical voter blocs that Democrats will need in November.
The dynamics in New Hampshire exemplify how local races can sometimes foreshadow larger trends affecting the national party. As Goodlander’s campaign gains traction, it presents a case study in the intersection of personal narratives with the shifting political landscape. Her story of resilience and defiance against the backdrop of the abortion rights debate resonated with many voters, making it an essential element of her campaign narrative.
Political analysts are now closely watching how this primary unfolds and its implications for Democrats moving forward. The stakes are high: the outcome will not only determine a nominee but also shape the narrative around Democratic unity—or division—in a critical period leading up to the 2024 elections.
As the primary date nears, both candidates ramp up their outreach efforts. Goodlander’s campaign is emphasizing her experience and her commitment to protecting abortion rights, while Van Ostern seeks to reinforce his ties to local Democratic leaders and portray himself as the candidate most capable of holding the seat in the general election.
The battle lines are clearly drawn, and as voters prepare to make their voices heard, the tension reflects broader challenges facing a party trying to navigate its identity while preparing for an election cycle that promises to be fiercely contested. The outcome could either signal a reinvigorated and united Democratic front or highlight the fissures that make the party vulnerable as they aim for congressional control.
With the primary just around the corner, voters are poised to make a decision that will reverberate beyond New Hampshire, shaping not only the future of these two candidates but also the trajectory of the Democratic Party in what promises to be an intense electoral season. As the race closes in, both Goodlander and Van Ostern remain focused on rallying their supporters and securing the necessary votes to emerge victorious in a primary that will undoubtedly define their political futures.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
