Businesswoman Lily Tang Williams has won the Republican primary in New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District, defeating three rivals and securing the party's nomination for a seat Republicans are targeting in their effort to expand their House majority.
Tang Williams, who was also the GOP nominee for the district in 2024, emerged victorious over Victor Orlando, Dan Nicholson, and Michael Anthony Callis. The district spans the entire western portion of New Hampshire from north to south. An entrepreneur and co-chair of the New Hampshire Asian American Coalition from the town of Weare, Tang Williams dominated the race from a fundraising perspective, hauling in nearly $1.2 million compared to the $175,000 raised by Orlando, who finished second.
A Chinese immigrant who describes herself as a survivor of communism, Tang Williams pitched herself as an open-minded and independent candidate during an April interview with WMUR, signaling a willingness to oppose President Donald Trump when she believes it is appropriate for her would-be constituents. Asked about the conflict in Iran, she denounced oppressive regimes and said she would like Trump to provide a plan for ending the war and reaching a peace agreement. She also criticized politicians who she said used their offices to enrich themselves.
Tang Williams previously chaired the state's Libertarian Party. Nicholson and Callis captured only tiny percentages of the vote in the primary.
Both Tang Williams and Orlando presented themselves as center-right candidates in a state heavily controlled by Democrats. New Hampshire, which has only one other congressional district, is a reliably blue state, though Tang Williams earned 47% of the vote in her 2024 run against then-incumbent Rep. Annie Kuster. The district is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander, who won the seat in 2024 after Kuster announced her retirement.
The general election matchup between Tang Williams and Goodlander is expected to be one of the more closely watched House races in the country, as Republicans look to defend and potentially grow their narrow majority in the chamber. New Hampshire's 2nd District has a history of competitive contests, and national party committees on both sides are likely to invest significant resources in the race.
Tang Williams' fundraising advantage in the primary suggests she will have the financial resources to mount a serious challenge to Goodlander in November. Her campaign message, which combines fiscal conservatism with a willingness to break with party orthodoxy on certain issues, appears designed to appeal to the independent voters who often decide elections in New Hampshire.
The primary result also reflects the broader dynamics of the 2026 midterm cycle, as both parties vie for control of Congress. Republicans see the 2nd District as a potential pickup opportunity, while Democrats are expected to defend the seat aggressively given its importance to their hopes of retaking the House.