Lily Tang Williams blasts opponent Maggie Goodlander during NH congressional debate

During a New Hampshire 2nd Congressional District debate, Republican candidate Lily Tang Williams sharply criticized her opponent, Democrat Maggie Goodlander, for her wealth after Goodlander accused Tang Williams of favoring policies that benefit the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations.

"She believes that we should give a break to the wealthiest and the biggest corporations and hope for the best, hope that the results will trickle down to hardworking people," Goodlander said during the debate, referring to Williams. "I take a very different approach. I believe that the middle class deserves a tax cut, and I believe that we will do a lot for this country by ensuring that we don’t continue this disastrous tax policy." 

Tang Williams swiftly countered, challenging Goodlander’s understanding of the struggles faced by average Americans by pointing to her wealth.

“You are wealthy. You’re worth $20 million to $30 million. How do you know about regular people's suffering? Do you go shopping? Go to Walmart? Buy food? I talk to those people. And you pretend to be a renter in Nashua a few months ago, moved back to run for this open seat with millions of dollars from Washington, D.C., insiders... I don’t have money to run a TV ad, and you pretend you are poor, complain rent is so high,” Tang Williams said.

"You do not understand regular people’s concerns” she added.

Goodlander, who is married to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, has a reported net worth ranging between $9.9 million and $39 million, much of it held in a trust fund, according to WMUR-TV. Tang Williams also has a net worth of several million dollars but has received attention for her background as an immigrant from China who arrived in the U.S. with just $100. She became a US citizen in 1994, and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has described her as a “phenomenal success story.”

The two candidates are competing for New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District. Recent polls show Goodlander with an eight-point lead in the race. Goodlander, who only has an apartment in the district, said that she would buy property in the district if elected, according to the New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism.