Who's running in New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Maggie Goodlander currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Lowering 'the sky-high costs of living' and opposing 'tax breaks to billionaires' and 'price-gouging corporations.'
Opposing health care cuts and 'senseless wars of choice.'
Opposing the proposed ICE detention facility in Merrimack; she called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's removal or impeachment.
Redirecting ICE funding to local police departments, per legislation she cosponsored.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for New Hampshire's 2nd District since January 2025; elected with 52.9% in 2024.
Former US Justice Department antitrust lawyer.
Won the September 8, 2026 Democratic primary over state Rep. Paige Beauchemin with about 82%.
Endorsed by Rep. Chris Pappas, the League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Giffords and End Citizens United, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'One vision hands tax breaks to billionaires ... cruel cuts that are ripping health care away from people in every corner of our district. ... It's a vision about lowering costs, the sky-high costs of living, and making prosperity not a distant promise but a reality for everybody.'
— Rep. Maggie Goodlander, primary night (Concord Monitor)
Environmental, abortion rights, gun safety and campaign finance reform groups have endorsed Goodlander.
— League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Giffords and End Citizens United, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
'She has no plan after two years in Congress except partisan fighting, voting with her party 99% of the time'; she is beholden to the more than 70 political action and party committees that have given to her campaign.
— Lily Tang Williams, Republican opponent (New Hampshire Union Leader)
Goodlander has sided with Republicans on some votes and accepted endorsements and contributions from pro-Israel groups; New Hampshire's federal delegation is too centrist.
— State Rep. Paige Beauchemin, Democratic primary opponent (Concord Monitor)
What we couldn’t verify
NRCC criticism of her vote against the 2025 Republican tax and border bill was reported by NH Journal, but that page could not be loaded, so it is not listed.
Williams has challenged Goodlander to a debate; whether one is scheduled was not found in a loaded source.
Her campaign website address could not be confirmed from a loaded page.
Congressional term limits of three House terms and two Senate terms.
A ban on stock trading by members of Congress and a lifetime ban on members becoming lobbyists.
Voting against continuing resolutions, earmarks and any bill that is not a 'single-issue bill.'
A balanced budget amendment and cutting deficits to fight inflation.
Market competition, health savings accounts and buying insurance across state lines.
Supporting federal immigration enforcement and opposing abolishing ICE; aiming tariffs at adversary countries rather than allies such as Canada.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office; Republican nominee for this seat in 2024 (47%), third-place primary finisher in 2022.
Chair of the Libertarian Party of Colorado from 2015; Libertarian US Senate nominee in Colorado in 2016.
Won the September 8, 2026 Republican primary with about 65%; raised more than $1 million, per NHPR.
Endorsed by four state senators, Log Cabin Republicans and MAHA Action, per Wikipedia; not endorsed by President Trump.
Arguments in favor
'If people really want the representation and have a voice in Washington, D.C., not the partisan hat, they should check me out and vote for me.' Her 10-point plan is 'not Republican versus Democrat, this is what the American people want: real change and an end to the dysfunction in Washington.'
— Lily Tang Williams (Concord Monitor, New Hampshire Union Leader)
Four Republican state senators and dozens of state representatives, Log Cabin Republicans and MAHA Action endorsed Williams.
— Listed endorsements, Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
'Funny how Lily Tang Williams thinks 4th time's the charm. She can campaign as an extremist Free Stater all she wants, but she'll never be anything more than a fringe candidate for a fringe movement.'
— New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley (New Hampshire Union Leader)
Williams' political résumé can be read as 'long and unsuccessful': this is her fifth bid for public office, and she has lost all four previous races.
— NHPR reporting
What we couldn’t verify
Williams says she has not been an active Free State Project member since moving to New Hampshire, though she attends its events.
Debate plans for the general election had not been reported in a loaded source.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is New Hampshire's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the districts set by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 2022 remain in use. A mid-decade redistricting bill (HB 1300) was pushed under White House pressure, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte rejected the idea and the House Election Law Committee chair declared it effectively dead in January 2026; no pending congressional map case was found. New Hampshire's late primary was held September 8, 2026. Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander beat state Rep. Paige Beauchemin with about 82%; Republican Lily Tang Williams, the 2024 nominee, won about 65% over Dan Nicholson, Victor Orlando and Michael Callis, setting up a 2024 rematch. Independent Robbie Mahrou is listed by Wikipedia and Politics1, and his campaign says he submitted more than 1,600 nomination signatures, over the 1,500 required; the Secretary of State's certified general election list was not loaded. Write-in votes are not listed. The district covers western and northern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Concord, Keene, the Upper Valley and the North Country. Goodlander won 52.9% in 2024. Candidates are listed incumbent first, then by party; that is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New Hampshire ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New Hampshire Secretary of State.