U.S. Rep. Kuster backing Van Ostern to replace her
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Apr. 9—CONCORD — As expected, U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., confirmed Tuesday that she is endorsing former Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern's Democratic primary bid to replace her in the 2nd Congressional District.
Van Ostern, 45, got into the race the day after Kuster, 67, surprised some observers by declaring that she would not seek a seventh two-year term.
When Kuster first ran for Congress in 2010 against then-Republican Congressman Charlie Bass, Van Ostern, a Concord resident, served as her campaign manager.
Bass won that first race, but Kuster won the rematch two years later and she has held the seat ever since.
"Colin has the energy, intellect, experience, and temperament to take on our biggest challenges in Congress, including saving our democracy and restoring America's faith in government," Kuster said in a statement.
"As a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council, Colin stood up for women and families voting to restore funding to Planned Parenthood. He knows how to bring people together to support hard working Americans, a skill that is essential in today's divided Congress. I'm proud to endorse my friend Colin Van Ostern and I know that he will make New Hampshire proud serving in Congress."
Thus far, Van Ostern is the only announced candidate for the seat in either major party.
Last week, Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Becky Whitley, 44, said she was forming an exploratory committee and considering a Democratic primary bid.
Van Ostern releases new list of supporters
Van Ostern released the names of more than 100 elected officials and community leaders from the Concord region backing him, including former Gov. John Lynch, Concord Mayor Byron Champlin, former Senate President Sylvia Larsen of Concord and Concord business leader Gary Hirshberg.
"I'm grateful to have earned the support of hundreds of leaders across this district, from our Congresswoman Annie Kuster, to many community activists and volunteers in so many towns and neighborhoods," Van Ostern said in a statement.
Other Democrats seriously considering a run include Maggie Goodlander, a Portsmouth lawyer who worked in the U.S. Justice Department and is married to Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security adviser, and former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky, a 2020 Democratic candidate for governor.
Goodlander's mother is Betty Tamposi, who also ran for the 2nd Congressional District seat and lost a GOP primary in 1988 to the eventual winner, former Supreme Court Justice Chuck Douglas.
Hanover investor Bill Hanlem is likely to seek the Republican nomination.
There are five already announced GOP hopefuls led by Lily Tang Williams, a Chinese native and Weare resident who finished third in the 2022 primary that was won by Manchester Republican Bob Burns.
Last week, Burns announced that rather than running for Congress again he was seeking the GOP nomination for Executive Council to try and succeed Manchester incumbent Ted Gatsas, who is retiring.
House Majority Floor Leader Joe Sweeney, R-Salem, 2022 U.S. Senate candidate Vikram Mansharamani of Lincoln, and 2014 GOP nominee Marilinda Garcia are also considering their own GOP bids for Congress.
