Goodlander Joins Centrist Democrats Confronting Socialist-Marxist Surge Inside The Party

By Michael Graham, NH Journal

U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., is one of just 10 Democrats who have signed on to the “Promise to America,” a newly launched coalition of centrists pushing back against the party’s progressive wing.

The initiative, spearheaded by lawmakers like Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Rep. Adam Gray, D-Calif., aims to present a highly visible alternative to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

A few mainstream Democrats have publicly decried what they consider a takeover of their party by the DSA.

James Carville, the strategist behind the Clintons’ triangulation strategy, called out Darializa Avila Chevalier this weekend, one of the three DSA-backed candidates who won in New York last week.

“She has attacked interracial relationships and the American flag. Lady, I ain’t in the same party as you. I’m sorry,” Carville said. “I’m just not, and I actually do think it’s time for Democrats to talk ‘the S-word.’ ‘Schism.’ I really do.”

And former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison used social media to appeal to Democratic Socialists of America candidates to stay out.

“I say this with no ill will or animosity,” Harrison wrote. “If you hate the Democratic Party, then please don’t run for our nomination. Don’t use our resources. Don’t rely on our volunteers. Don’t use our infrastructure. Don’t ask Democrats to invest their time, money, and energy in your campaign.”

But with DSA-backed Democrats winning primaries in New York City and gaining support in places like Michigan and Maine, some centrist Democrats are stepping up their resistance.

The Promise to America group’s foundational manifesto leans heavily on moderate messaging, emphasizing border security, fiscal responsibility, and a stark defense of free-market economics, explicitly declaring: “We are capitalist, not socialist.”

Goodlander declined to respond to NHJournal’s questions about her decision to take on socialists within her party. And as of late Monday, she had not posted any messages explaining her decision.

Her actions have gotten attention from both sides of the aisle.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., quickly dismissed the effort as rhetorically hollow.

“All these election officials came together and said, ‘We’re going to sign a pledge against socialism.’ And we say, ‘Okay,’” Ocasio-Cortez said during a radio interview this weekend.

The public friction underscores a broader debate within the caucus regarding whether emphasizing “persuasion over purity” — as the Promise to America group advocates — alienates the grassroots base or is a necessary tactic to hold competitive seats.

Granite State Republicans also reacted to Goodlander’s decision to step up against socialists in her party’s ranks.

Veteran GOP consultant and Union Leader columnist Patrick Hynes gave Goodlander a thumbs up.

“Rep. Goodlander did the right thing. She demonstrated she is more interested in serving the people of New Hampshire than a debunked, dangerous ideology espoused by reckless Democrats with no life experience. While I believe she has embraced the principles in ‘The Promise to America’ with sincerity, this is also the smart move politically. Radical blowhards come and go, but focused, goal-oriented leaders tend to have long, successful lives in public service.”

Lily Tang Williams, who’s hoping to run against Goodlander as the NH-02 GOP nominee, had a very different response.

“Congresswoman Goodlander is trying to be everything to everyone by pushing bigger-government policies that expand federal control while, at the same time, claiming to represent everyday Granite Staters,” Williams said regarding Goodlander’s efforts. “Maggie Goodlander is no centrist, and she cannot hide from her votes.”

Most Republicans NHJournal spoke to agreed.

“For Congressperson Chameleon Goodlander, changing her disguise will fool no one. She is a go-along-to-get-along creature of the deep-left deep state,” said longtime GOP strategist Dave Carney. “Her voting record and lack of any authentic New Hampshire presence will hurt her most. Neither side is buying this phony attempt to reposition 126 days before the election.”

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.