In a fiery debate on Thursday, Republican congressional candidate Lily Tang Williams of New Hampshire did not hold back in her criticism of Democratic opponent Maggie Goodlander. The two candidates clashed over the economy and the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, which showed only 12,000 jobs added in October.
Williams called out Goodlander for not understanding the struggles of regular people, citing the Democratic nominee’s reported net worth of $20 to $30 million.
During the debate, Williams challenged Goodlander about her campaign persona of being a renter, questioning how she could truly understand the concerns of regular people when she could afford a $2 million home and had millions of dollars from Washington, D.C. insiders backing her campaign. She also pointed out that Goodlander and her husband, Jake Sullivan, are both high-ranking officials in the Biden administration.
Since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took office in January 2021, prices have skyrocketed, with the Consumer Price Index reaching a high of 9% in June 2022. In comparison, during Trump’s presidency in January 2021, the CPI only grew at a rate of 1.4% and the average price for a gallon of gas was under $2.25.
This significant increase in prices has led to overwhelming disapproval of Biden’s handling of the economy, with his approval rating on the issue at only 39.8%.
Biden’s overall approval rating has also taken a hit, with only 34.8% of the respondents giving him good marks for his handling of immigration. These issues have been emphasized by former President Donald Trump, who continues to be a force in the Republican party and a strong critic of the current administration.
Interestingly, in polls from Oct. 11 to Nov. 1, Harris is trailing Trump by a mere 0.3%. This can also be seen as a reflection of the growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s policies and handling of important issues. The RealClearPolling average shows a dead heat between Harris and Trump, with both candidates equally likely to win if the election were held today.
New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District race is wild. Democrat Maggie Goodlander had no idea what hit her after Republican challenger Lily Tang Williams went on a rampage. pic.twitter.com/Vu3BnL1wuH
— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) November 2, 2024
In the face of these challenges, it is clear that Goodlander’s ties to the Biden administration and her reported wealth do not align with the concerns of regular people.
Williams, on the other hand, has shown herself to be relatable and in touch with the struggles of everyday Americans. As the race for the congressional seat in New Hampshire heats up, it will be interesting to see how voters respond to these contrasting candidates and their approaches to the current state of the economy.