Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire prepares for Congress

CONCORD, NH (WCAX) – While Democrats continue to say there is little chance for them to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, it appears the GOP is better positioned to retain its majority in the new Congress . And that means New Hampshire Congresswoman-elect Maggie Goodlander must be able to work across party lines as she prepares to head to Capitol Hill.

New Hampshire’s congressional delegation will once again be all Democrats after Tuesday’s election. However, Maggie Goodlander will take the place of outgoing Rep. Annie Kuster.

“It is the honor of my life 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 think a lot about what Senator Teddy Kennedy said: Always find the 30 percent. You may disagree with 70 percent, but find the 30 percent — get it done,” she said.

As things stand, Goodlander will likely be in the minority in the U.S. House, although she says Democrats still have a path to regain control. Republicans far exceeded expectations in Tuesday’s election, thanks to Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory in both the Electoral College and the popular vote.

“My reaction is that I have a lot of listening to do across the district,” Goodlander said.

Voters say the economy was a major factor when they went to the polls, and Goodlander says she’s keenly aware that high costs are a problem throughout New Hampshire’s 2nd District. “Whether it’s the cost of housing, the cost of child care, the cost of health care and prescription drugs, or the cost of groceries,” she said.

Goodlander has spoken with New Hampshire Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, and she says the spirit of bipartisanship she wants to bring to Washington will extend to the Statehouse.

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