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Maggie Goodlander
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Margaret Vivian Goodlander (born November 4, 1986) is an American politician, lawyer, and former naval officer who has served as the U.S. representative from New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the wife of former U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan.
Key Information
Goodlander served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve and worked as a foreign policy advisor in the United States Senate to Senators Joe Lieberman and John McCain. After law school, she was a law clerk for Chief Judge Merrick Garland and Justice Stephen Breyer. She served as counsel on the House Judiciary Committee during the first impeachment of Donald Trump. During the Biden administration, she was an attorney at the United States Department of Justice and senior White House advisor. She was elected to Congress in 2024 to replace retiring Democratic incumbent Annie Kuster.
Early life and education
[edit]Goodlander was born on November 4, 1986, and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire.[1][2] She is a member of the Tamposi family, a well-connected prominent political family in New Hampshire; her grandfather, Samuel Tamposi, was a Republican real estate developer who partially owned the Boston Red Sox, and her mother, Betty Tamposi, was a Republican member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives before serving as Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs under President George H. W. Bush.[3]
After graduating from the Groton School in 2005, Goodlander received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Yale College in 2009 and then attended Yale Law School, where she received a Juris Doctor in 2016.[1] As a student at Yale, she was a research fellow in Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, and Libya.[4]
Naval and legal career
[edit]After graduating from Yale College in 2009, Goodlander worked as a senior foreign policy advisor for U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman and John McCain.[5] She served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for 11 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant.[6][7]
After graduating from Yale Law School in 2016, Goodlander served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2016 to 2017 and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer from 2017 to 2018.[1][8] She was an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in 2019.[8]
Goodlander served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during the first impeachment of Donald Trump, where she co-authored a 55-page report describing the constitutional grounds for impeaching Trump.[9] Following Trump's acquittal by the U.S. Senate in February 2020, she began working as counsel to Co-Equal, an activist organization that advocates for increased congressional funding and support for federal agencies that provide research and policy advice to members of Congress.[10]
Goodlander taught constitutional law at the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College from 2019 to 2021. She also served on the boards of the New Hampshire Women's Foundation, New Hampshire Legal Assistance, the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, and the Rudman Center Advisory Board.[11]
In January 2021, Goodlander joined the United States Department of Justice as counselor to the attorney general under Garland, who had become U.S. attorney general under President Joe Biden and under whom Goodlander clerked after law school. She served as a deputy assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division from September 12, 2022 to February 23, 2024, overseeing the international, appellate, and policy work, preceded by Rene Augustine and succeeded by John Elias.[12]
After leaving the Justice Department, she briefly served as a White House senior advisor, where she led the Biden administration's Unity Agenda for the Nation.[13]
U.S. House of Representatives
[edit]Elections
[edit]2024
[edit]On May 9, 2024, Goodlander announced her candidacy in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district in the 2024 elections to succeed retiring U.S. Representative Annie Kuster.[14] Her mother, Betty Tamposi, ran for the same seat as a Republican in 1988 but lost the primary to Chuck Douglas, who had asserted that it would be inappropriate for a mother to hold political office while raising young children.[15] Goodlander defeated former New Hampshire Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern, who had been endorsed by Kuster, with 63.8% of the vote to Van Ostern's 36.2%.[16] In the general election, Goodlander defeated Republican nominee and libertarian activist Lily Tang Williams 52.9% to 47.1%.[17]
Tenure
[edit]Goodlander assumed office on January 3, 2025. She succeeded retiring U.S. Representative Annie Kuster.[18]
Goodlander had initially expressed interest for a 2026 Senate run, but announced in April 2025 that she would not run.[19]
Committee assignments
[edit]For the 119th Congress:[20]
Personal life
[edit]Goodlander is married to Jake Sullivan, who served as United States national security advisor under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025. They met at the Munich Security Conference during the Obama administration when Goodlander worked for U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman and Sullivan worked as an advisor for then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They married on June 6, 2015, in New Haven, Connecticut. They rent a home in Nashua, New Hampshire, and also own a $1.2 million home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[21]
Goodlander became pregnant in late 2022, but during her pregnancy, the fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition and died in utero. While awaiting a medical procedure to remove the fetus, Goodlander went into labor and gave birth to a stillborn son in a hotel bathtub on Easter. She has cited the experience as inspiring her to campaign for abortion rights.[2]
Electoral history
[edit]| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Maggie Goodlander | 42,960 | 63.74% | |
| Democratic | Colin Van Ostern | 24,342 | 36.12% | |
| Write-in | 94 | 0.14% | ||
| Total votes | 67,396 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Maggie Goodlander | 211,641 | 52.93% | |
| Republican | Lily Tang Williams | 187,810 | 46.97% | |
| Write-in | 367 | 0.09% | ||
| Total votes | 399,818 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Antitrust Division | Maggie Goodlander, Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General". United States Department of Justice. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Lerer, Lisa (May 20, 2024). "In a House Race in N.H., a Famous Spouse, and a Traumatic Pregnancy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Porter, Steven (May 9, 2024). "Maggie Goodlander launches N.H. congressional bid after White House exit". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Rod, Marc (May 9, 2024). "Maggie Goodlander, Jake Sullivan's wife and former White House official, running for Congress in New Hampshire". Jewish Insider. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Kazarian, Grace; O'Keefe, Ed (May 9, 2024). "Maggie Goodlander, wife of national security adviser Jake Sullivan, launches congressional campaign in New Hampshire". CBS News. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "Maggie Goodlander". VoteVets. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- ^ Carroll, Janis (January 4, 2021). "New members bring diverse skills and broad representation to Foundation". The Laconia Daily Sun. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Margaret 'Maggie' Goodlander". Justia. 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Samuelsohn, Darren (December 12, 2019). "Meet the legal minds behind Trump's impeachment". Politico.
- ^ "Maggie Goodlander - Previously held position: Co-Equal (March 2020-Jan. 2021), Counsel - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Ramer, Holly (May 9, 2024). "Democratic ex-White House aide Maggie Goodlander is running for Congress in New Hampshire". AP News. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Remaly, Ben (September 12, 2022). "Antitrust Division adds from Garland's office". globalcompetitionreview.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Stokols, Eli; Haberkorn, Jennifer; Cancryn, Adam; Egan, Lauren; Johansen, Ben (February 29, 2024). "The struggle to sell Ukraine aid". POLITICO. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Astor, Maggie (May 9, 2024). "Maggie Goodlander, Former White House Adviser, to Run for Congress in New Hampshire". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "Tamposi Family Files for Bankruptcy", Boston Herald, Aug. 24, 1991
- ^ Enstrom, Kirk (September 11, 2024). "Maggie Goodlander defeats Colin Van Ostern in 2nd District Democratic race". WMUR. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "New Hampshire Second Congressional District Election Results 2024: Goodlander vs. Tang Williams". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (November 6, 2024). "Former Biden official wins New Hampshire seat to succeed Kuster". The Hill. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Sexton, Adam (April 17, 2025). "US Rep. Maggie Goodlander decides against run for US Senate in 2026". WMUR. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ WCAX News Team (January 14, 2025). "Goodlander to serve on House Armed Services, Small Business Committees". WCAX-TV. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Vigdor, Neil (May 23, 2024). "House Candidate Who Pitched Herself as a 'Renter' Also Owns a $1.2 Million Home". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "State of New Hampshire -- 2024 Primary Election Congressional District 2 -- Democratic" (XLSX). New Hampshire Secretary of State. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "State of New Hampshire -- General Election Congressional District 2" (XSLX). New Hampshire Secretary of State. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
Maggie Goodlander
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early life
Goodlander was born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire, where her family has maintained roots for over a century.[6] She grew up in a longstanding political family in the city, which influenced her early exposure to public service.[7] Her parents emphasized values of community involvement that shaped her commitment to civic engagement from a young age.[6]Education
Goodlander earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Yale College.[8] She later received her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.[9]Military service
Enlistment and deployments
Goodlander began her service in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2010, where she served as an intelligence officer until 2022.[10] Her role involved naval intelligence duties over the course of more than a decade in the reserves.[2]Post-service recognition
Goodlander attained the rank of lieutenant during her over-a-decade-long tenure as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.[11] After transitioning from active reserve duty, she co-founded the Democratic Veterans Caucus in Congress to address threats to veterans and national security concerns.[12] This initiative reflects her ongoing commitment to veteran advocacy within legislative frameworks.Professional career
Legal positions
Goodlander clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court following her graduation from Yale Law School.[2] She subsequently taught constitutional law at the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College, focusing on core principles of U.S. constitutional framework and administrative processes.[2] In this capacity, Goodlander specialized in constitutional law, applying her expertise to educational and advisory contexts that emphasized legal accountability and governance structures.[2] She also served as counsel during the first impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, contributing to arguments centered on constitutional violations and high crimes.[2]Policy advisory roles
Goodlander served as an advisor for national security and foreign affairs to U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT).[13] She also worked as a professional staffer on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, focusing on related policy matters.[13] From 2011 to 2012, she held the position of Next Generation National Security Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a think tank dedicated to advancing bipartisan national security policy.[13] In these roles, Goodlander contributed to advising on defense and foreign policy issues, drawing on her background in intelligence and legal analysis.[13]Political career
Initial campaigns
Goodlander did not contest any local or state-level races in New Hampshire prior to seeking federal office.[14]Her entry into electoral politics marked her debut campaign, where she highlighted her U.S. Navy Reserve service and national security policy roles to underscore themes of public service and expertise in foreign affairs.[15]