Democrat Maggie Goodlander (left) and Republican Lily Tang Williams squared off for a second and final debate in Concord on Oct. 31 as the two candidates vie for the opportunity to represent New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District. Courtesy photo/WMUR-TV

CONCORD – Trailing by 12 percent, Republican Lily Tang Williams came out swinging against Democrat Maggie Goodlander in the second and final debate before voters decide which candidate will represent New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District.

Maintaining a vitriolic demeanor throughout the evening, Tang Williams attacked Goodlander on the increased cost of living, accusing her of “pretending to be poor.”

“You are wealthy, how do you know about regular people suffering? You pretended to be living in Nashua a few months ago, but moved back (to Portsmouth) to run for this open seat with millions of dollars from Washington D.C. insiders,” Tang Williams said during the Oct. 31 debate hosted by WMUR-TV. “Go back to your $2 million home in Portsmouth.”

Keeping her composure, Goodlander reminded her opponent that they should be focused on the voters rather than each other.

She also said there is no sound solution when it comes to inflation.

“There is no silver bullet here,” said Goodlander. “I will do everything in my power and fight with everything I’ve got to lower costs.”

She said there are antitrust and consumer protection laws which must be updated as they have been in effect for more than 100 years.

“These are laws that are deeply-rooted in American ideals, that no corporation is above the law,” said Goodlander.

In response, Tang Williams said Goodlander has no solutions and simply repeated what was said during the Democratic National Convention.

“Do you have independent thinking skills or do you need to go to business school to study economics?” asked Tang Williams.

She said inflation was caused by “out of control government spending,” adding that it is also the reason that the national debt has climbed to $35.8 trillion.

“Number one, we need to freeze all federal hiring,” said Tang Williams.

Goodlander said the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which took effect in January 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, has only benefited the wealthiest Americans.

According to the Tax Policy Center, families with incomes of $450,000 or more reap the greatest tax benefits.

“This is a worldview that my opponent has embraced,” said Goodlander, adding that a tax reduction is needed for the middle class. “She believes that we should give a break to the wealthiest and hope for the best. I believe that we will do a lot for this country by ensuring that we don’t continue this disastrous tax policy.”

On the contentious topic of reproductive rights, Goodlander emphasized that government interference cannot be tolerated.

“There is no place for a politician or a judge when a woman is trying to make some of the most difficult healthcare decisions that she could make,” said Goodlander. “The Supreme Court’s decision two years ago, reversing Roe v. Wade, ripped away a fundamental right that is so poor to gender equality in this country. My view is that women can be trusted and must be trusted to make their own health care decisions. We are seeing the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision every single day. This has literally become a matter of life and death for women who are unable to get the health care they need because their doctors are fearful of being prosecuted.”

Tang Williams said she would not support a national abortion ban.

“I think it’s a state issue,” she said. “It is not about healthcare choice. You know why? Because there are two lives. If a baby can exist outside the mother’s body, why do you want to act like Communist China to kill that baby?”

Goodlander also said Congress must take action to protect Social Security.

According to Charles Schwab, the program is projected to go bankrupt by 2033 unless significant changes are made.

“Social Security is a bedrock promise that hardworking seniors have paid into their entire lives,” said Goodlander. “I believe in the basic American principle that everyone should pay their fair share, especially the wealthiest among us.”

In contrast, she said Tang Williams does not believe in funding government programs unless they are listed in the U.S. Constitution. She also said her opponent would push to increase the retirement age and privatize Social Security.

“That would put Social Security on the chopping block,” said Goodlander. “Your positions on Social Security are public record and you should be accountable for those positions.”

In response, Tang Williams said Social Security has become a “political slush fund” and that illegal immigrants are able to collect from the program without paying anything into it.

“I want to protect that for our seniors, it’s earned benefits,” she said.

On the topic of immigration, Goodlander said that in 2013, she was a senior advisor to then-U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who, together with U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), led a study to closely examine the country’s immigration laws and border security.

She said that in February of this year, President Joe Biden was looking forward to signing a $118 billion immigration reform bill to bolster funding for the immigration courts, hire more Border Patrol agents and streamline the affirmative asylum process. However, she said Trump was able to persuade all but four Senate Republicans to vote it down.

“Donald Trump decided it was in his personal interest to stand between the American people and immigration reform,” said Goodlander.

Tang Williams, who immigrated to the U.S. from China 36 years ago, said she would support Trump’s deportation plan.

“Deport all the illegal aliens who have committed crimes immediately,” she said.

As of Oct. 3, the state poll from St. Anselm College showed Goodlander with 50 percent of the vote and Tang Williams with 38 percent.