State Rep. Paige Beauchemin To Challenge U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander In 2026, Promises 'Disruptive Compassion'

By Michael Graham, NH Journal

First-term U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander is facing a primary challenge from her progressive left as Rep. Paige Beauchemin (D-Nashua) announced Friday that she is entering the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary.

“Running to challenge the status quo, Paige Beauchemin is bringing a wave of joy, authenticity, and a commitment to fighting for the people of New Hampshire with ‘disruptive compassion,’” according to a statement from her campaign.

Goodlander is a scion of Nashua’s wealthy Tamposi family. Her grandfather, Sam Tamposi, was a prominent real estate developer and part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. A longtime Washington, D.C., insider, Goodlander is married to President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and she previously worked in the Biden Department of Justice.

“Our campaign is about real people, real stories, and real solutions,” Beauchemin said. “Working-class people continue to be intentionally excluded from the political machine. I don’t just study the issues; I live them. And I’ll fight like hell for your family the way I fight for my own.”

Beauchemin, a registered nurse, was elected in a special election in 2023 following the resignation of Rep. David Cote. An unapologetic progressive, Beauchemin has been an outspoken advocate of allowing biological males who identify as female to compete in girls’ sports.

When Republican state Rep. Erica Layon (R-Derry) made a speech arguing that males in female sports harmed women, Beauchemin participated in a Democratic walkout in protest.

“They’re dying because of you,” Beauchemin shouted as she stormed out of the House chamber.

Not surprisingly, Beauchemin received an “F” rating in the new Americans for Prosperity–NH legislative report card. However, she did break with her party to back one initiative supported by the free-market group: ending the requirement for N.H. drivers to get annual inspection stickers.

Beauchemin is holding a campaign kick-off on Saturday, October 4, in Nashua, inviting Granite Staters to “be part of a movement that’s as joyful as it is determined.”

Goodlander declined to respond to NHJournal’s request for comment.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.