Ugliest Democratic primary of the season is dividing New Hampshire

The Democratic primary in New Hampshire, which had been relatively quiet for six months, is concluding in a fierce race between Colin Van Ostern, a well-known state figure, and Maggie Goodlander, an attorney with strong connections to the Biden administration.

What should have been a unifying aspect for Democrats following the overturning of Roe v. Wade has turned into a contentious battleground within the party. The main issue at hand is abortion rights, which sharply divides the candidates.

Van Ostern escalated the tension dramatically during the summer when he aired an advertisement accusing Goodlander of insufficient commitment to abortion rights, pointing to her donations to pro-life Republicans. The ad featured Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, his former boss and a centrist figure, who is retiring from Congress.

The response from Goodlander’s supporters was swift and personal. They highlighted her past personal trauma, including a stillbirth, and criticized the insinuation that her donations reflected an anti-abortion stance. Goodlander clarified that her contributions were politically motivated and not related to reproductive rights, citing specific instances to undercut Van Ostern’s narrative.

Kuster initially aimed to pass the seat, which leans Democrat, to Van Ostern, whom she had once mentored. However, in recent weeks, Goodlander has gained momentum and is now slightly favored to win the upcoming primary.

Both candidates have engaged in negative campaigning, with accusations swirling around the validity of their past actions and connections. Goodlander’s supporters have pointed out that Van Ostern has roots with a Democratic congressman known for anti-abortion views, while both camps have launched significant ad campaigns against each other.

The Democratic party faces a significant divide just weeks before an election that requires unity to reclaim control of Congress. As the competition heats up, Kuster’s involvement in promoting Van Ostern and denouncing Goodlander has drawn criticism from members of the New Democrat Coalition she leads, especially since they feel that resources should be allocated to more competitive races.

Rep. Seth Moulton, a fellow Democrat, expressed his support for Goodlander, emphasizing her qualifications and urging the party to focus on unifying against Republicans instead of attacking fellow Democrats in primaries.

Kuster maintains that she focuses on the necessity of keeping the seat in Democratic control, arguing that Van Ostern is the right candidate to ensure that. She believes her experience gives her insight into what will win in November.

The tension reached a boiling point after a VoteVets ad labeled Van Ostern a “perennial candidate” and brought attention to fines against his venture firm, further complicating the race. Goodlander’s financial backing from VoteVets further solidified her campaign’s strength with a significant ad spend advantage.

In an unexpected twist, Kuster’s personal ad targeting Goodlander became controversial with a particular line about Goodlander’s past donations to pro-life Republicans igniting outrage among Democrats. Many were shocked given Goodlander’s personal experiences with reproductive health.

Kuster has expressed empathy for Goodlander’s situation and acknowledged the backlash from her ad but stood by the need for transparency regarding Goodlander’s political contributions.

This has led to shifts in support, with some prominent Democratic figures rescinding their endorsements of Van Ostern in favor of Goodlander. Former Democratic Governor John Lynch publicly criticized Van Ostern’s tactics, declaring he could not support a negative campaign.

As endorsements shifted and tensions escalated, Goodlander reacted with disappointment at the negative turn the campaign has taken and accused Van Ostern of dishonesty in the race. The tug of war for endorsements highlights the intensity of the primary race.

The fallout from the campaign has not been contained to New Hampshire alone. The national landscape is also feeling the ripple effects as groups that previously aligned with Kuster begin re-evaluating their positions based on her recent actions.

Despite traditionally being a leader in promoting women in politics, Kuster has come under fire from her Democratic colleagues for her aggressive stance against Goodlander. Some members are baffled by Kuster’s departure from her known advocacy for female candidates.

With campaign finance and endorsement dynamics at play, and a volatile political atmosphere surrounding this primary, the outcome will not only decide who represents the party in the general election but will also underscore the ongoing struggles and divisions within the Democratic party.

Source: AP