In the immediate aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) told Granite Staters she was praying for Kirk and his family and called for “unity — unified condemnation and unified action to stop this death and destruction that is tearing our country apart.”
But on Friday, the first-term Democrat refused to support a resolution honoring Kirk’s life and legacy, voting “present” instead.
The resolution passed the House on Friday with 310 votes, including 95 Democrats. Among them was Goodlander’s fellow Granite Stater, Rep. Chris Pappas, who is currently seeking his party’s nomination for U.S. Senate. Pappas also attended a vigil for Kirk at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, while Goodlander stayed away.
Goodlander, who represents the most solidly Democratic of the state’s two congressional districts (it hasn’t elected a Republican since the Tea Party wave of 2010), was one of 38 Democrats who voted “present” on the resolution. Another 58 Democrats voted no, including potential 2028 presidential candidate Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while 22 Democrats didn’t vote at all.
The text of the resolution reads in part:
Whereas the assassination of Charlie Kirk was not only a heinous act of violence, but a sobering reminder of the growing threat posed by political extremism and hatred in our society
Whereas such acts of politically motivated violence are antithetical to the principles of a free republic, in which differences of opinion are to be debated—not silenced—with civility, reason, and mutual respect…
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk, and all forms of political violence;
(2) commends and honors the dedicated law enforcement and emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in finding the suspect responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk and urges the administration of swift justice to the suspect;
(3) extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Charlie Kirk’s family, including his wife, Erika, and their two young children, and prays for comfort, peace, and healing in this time of unspeakable loss;
(4) honors the life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty; and
(5) calls upon all Americans—regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed—to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.
Goodlander has not given a reason for refusing to support the resolution, and she would not respond to questions on the topic from NHJournal.**
Ocasio-Cortez, however, took to the House floor to explain her opposition.
“His (Kirk’s) rhetoric and beliefs were ignorant, uneducated, and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans — far from the ‘working tirelessly to promote unity’ as asserted by the majority in this resolution.”
Shortly after Kirk’s assassination at the hands of a 22-year-old man espousing the language of the Antifa movement, Goodlander posted, “I am praying for Charlie Kirk and his family. Charlie’s assassination is not an isolated incident — it is part of a deeply disturbing and truly anti-American pattern of violence that has savaged nearly every community across our country.
“If you agree that what America needs now is UNITY — unified condemnation and unified action to stop this death and destruction that is tearing our country apart — join me in word and deed.”
**U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander is participating in a New Hampshire Democratic Party-organized blacklisting of NHJournal and will not respond to our questions on any public policy issues.
