Maggie Goodlander had to decide: Barack Obama, or Chris Christie?
On Thursday, she chose the latter.
Goodlander, the freshman congresswoman representing New Hampshire’s 2nd District, announced that, after several weeks of consideration, she’s going to run for reelection rather than challenge fellow Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary.
“Humility isn’t a feeling easily expressed with words,” Goodlander said in a statement. “I am humbled by the encouragement I have received from so many Granite Staters to consider a run in the United States Senate. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting your trust in me.
“After a period of reflection, I have decided to seek reelection in the United States House of Representatives,” Goodlander added.
Goodlander also took the opportunity to endorse Pappas in his U.S. Senate race.
The choice before her was whether to seize the opportunity or to sit back and wait her turn.
In 2008, first-term U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) had only been in the Senate briefly before he began campaigning for the White House, eventually facing off against — and defeating — Hillary Clinton. Many party loyalists urged him to be patient and get some more experience before he ran. But he ignored their advice and went on to win the White House.
In 2012, first-term New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, was also told to wait his turn and run for president in the future. He sat out the 2012 race, watching Mitt Romney go down to defeat. Christie has run for president twice since then, but his moment appears to have passed. Many politicos now speculate Christie missed his moment.
Is Goodlander missing hers?
At 38 years old, Goodlander has plenty of time to pursue higher office. But if Shaheen’s daughter Stefany gets into the First Congressional District race as many expect, and wins, Goodlander may have to face off against her for a U.S. Senate seat in the future. Is that a harder or easier task than taking on Pappas now?
In the short run, Goodlander’s decision to sit out this Senate race is good news for Democrats hoping to hold on to the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen when she retires next year. Shaheen, 78, is the third Democrat to announce her retirement from the Senate this cycle, adding to the party’s uphill climb to win control of the upper chamber.
Pappas, who is now virtually guaranteed the Democratic nomination, returned the favor.
“Maggie Goodlander has dedicated her career to service, and we can always count on her to stand up to powerful interests and put people first,” he posted on Twitter/X. “I’m so grateful to call her my friend and teammate, and I’m proud to support her reelection and stand with her in the fights ahead.”
Granite State Republicans weren’t surprised by the outcome.
“I for one am shocked that New Hampshire Democrats all fell in line behind Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate,” mocked state Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) on social media.
One Democrat insider told NHJournal on background Goodlander is making the right call.
“Maggie is so green at her job and already (unfairly in my opinion) has the carpetbagger label. She underestimates his popularity, the size of the Manchester vote, and her ‘not one of us’ reputation at her peril.”
Goodlander said she sees her job as doing what she can to help Democrats succeed in 2026.
“First, by doing the job I hold now — a job I’ve truly loved doing every day for the past 104 days,” Goodlander said.
“Second, by helping secure a Democratic majority in the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 3, 2026.
“I look forward to the work ahead, and to keep earning (sic) the trust and support of the people of New Hampshire,” Goodlander added. “Onward.”
