Bizarre Financial Disclosure of Ex-Biden Official Maggie Goodlander in NH Primary Sparks Questions
Maggie Goodlander, a candidate in the increasingly tense Democratic primary for retiring Rep. Annie Kuster’s (D-N.H.) seat, filed a personal financial disclosure that has raised questions over the actual value of sizable assets she holds. Goodlander, a former Justice Department official under President Biden who’s married to national security adviser Jake Sullivan, is running to fill Kuster’s seat in New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District, a Democratic-leaning area that went for Biden by 9 points in 2020.
Her primary opponent, Colin Van Ostern, is backed by Kuster, while Goodlander has the support of Hillary Clinton and EMILY’s List, a pro-abortion rights group. Whoever wins the primary is favored to defeat the GOP nominee in November.
The questions surrounding Goodlander’s recent personal financial disclosure, which was filed on Aug. 12, come as the race turns bitter in the lead-up to the Sept. 10 primary, with Kuster herself wading in to boost Van Ostern as recent polls show Goodlander leading.
The disclosure has puzzled experts because it lists the value of multiple easily verifiable assets as ‘undetermined,’ including checking, retirement and investment accounts; treasury notes; cash bonds; and several properties or pieces of land, even those the report indicates are currently for sale. "To be perfectly honest, this was pretty bizarre," said Danielle Caputo, legal counsel for ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, referring to the disclosure.
Members of Congress, federal candidates, and senior congressional staff are among those who are required to file annual reports disclosing their personal assets, liabilities, and outside income under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Goodlander had secured a 90-day extension from the Clerk of the House of Representatives in May, a routine option taken by filers who request more time to complete the required disclosures.
Contacted by The Hill, a Goodlander campaign spokesperson suggested an amendment to the asset disclosure is forthcoming.
Recent polling has shown Goodlander edging out Van Ostern, with various surveys indicating a competitive race in the lead-up to the primary.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.