Letter: Van Ostern goes low

Colin Van Ostern goes low in his latest fliers. He labels Maggie Goodlander as “having worked for a Republican who supports abortion.” He accuses her of being a “carpetbagger,” having moved into the states just six years ago. These are well-tested Republican campaign strategies.

Van Ostern takes singular facts out of context and weaves a hostile and false narrative to smear his opponent. It is despicable he does that to a fellow Democrat. Here are the facts. Goodlander’s family has deep roots in New Hampshire, going back generations. She grew up in Nashua. The fact that she moved out of state to work for the government does not make her a carpetbagger. And yes, she worked for a Republican who supported abortion. She worked for John McCain on a task force to contain Vladimir Putin’s influence in the west. (Her work earned her a lifetime ban entering Russia).

She has broad government experience, having been in the Navy as an intelligence officer for over decade, clerked on the Supreme Court for Stephen Breyer and served as counselor for Attorney General Merrick Garland. She advised Congress on the impeachment of Donald Trump. Goodlander served as deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division. In 2024, Goodlander also served as a senior adviser at the White House, where she led President Joe Biden’s Unity Agenda for the Nation.

Goodlander is ualified for this job. She will be effective on day one. She is a fighter, but she does not use dirty tactics. Vote for Maggie Goodlander. She has paid her dues. This is the next step for a dedicated public servant. Who knows what she will achieve once she is in Congress.

Paul Frehner

Hancock