U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) was the keynote speaker at this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner on Nov. 14. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA – Following a number of decisive victories for the Democratic Party in this year’s local elections, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) travelled to New Hampshire to drive home the importance of the 2026 midterm elections.

“We have a fight before us,” he said during this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner on Nov. 14. “There are people in this state who have never given up on Democracy, we need New Hampshire more than ever.”

Before making the trip to the Granite State, Booker spoke with constituents throughout New Jersey who are “drowning in challenges.”

“My heart has been opened up,” he said.

These hardships have continued to fuel Booker’s ire toward President Donald Trump.

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) delivered her remarks at this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner on Nov. 14. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

“I am ticked off about the most destructive president in history,” he said.

Booker also called attention to the August 2024 Senate vote to extend the Child Tax Credit, saying it failed by just one vote.

However, Congressional records showed a tally of 48 in favor to 44 opposed. This left the legislation 12 votes shy of the 60-vote threshold it needed to pass.

In addition, Booker said gerrymandering and the education voucher scam must be stopped.

Looking ahead, he remained confident that Democrats will win the day next November.

Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) delivered his remarks at this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner on Nov. 14. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

“It won’t be long now,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) said Trump’s “destructive power” was on full display when the nation’s longest government shutdown began on Oct. 1. As a result, people were forced to choose between paying for food or paying for healthcare.

“That’s what he’s been doing folks,” said Hassan. “Our country deserves so much better than this president.”

Like Booker, Hassan said she is hopeful for a brighter future.

“We can overcome the politics of division,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) delivered her remarks at this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner on Nov. 14. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) addressed the tribulations facing healthcare professionals.

“It’s never been harder to be in healthcare,” she said.

She also shared a story in which UnitedHealthcare rejected a claim to cover surgery expenses because the “surgeon was incidental to the surgery.”

In addition, Goodlander spoke about her visit to the mobile food pantry in Nashua on Nov. 7. She said more than 500 cars had lined up for food as benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were still on hold. Goodlander said many of those cars had bumper stickers that read: “Trump 2024.”

Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) said small businesses continue to suffocate under the president’s tariffs.

“The American Dream seems further out of reach than it ever has been,” he said.

Pappas said Democrats continue to fight an uphill battle as both the House of Representatives and the Senate remain under Republican control.

“They bought themselves unchecked power and they’re getting one hell of a return,” Pappas said of GOP leaders, adding that Trump sent $40 billion to Argentina while “screwing our farmers” by compromising America’s soybean market.

“We’re going to fight like hell for the American people, we don’t do kings in the state of New Hampshire,” said Pappas.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) said that as part of the negotiations to reopen the government, she and her colleagues restored funding for SNAP as well as for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

However, she could not say the same for healthcare as Republicans still refused to negotiate a deal on that front.

“Donald Trump doesn’t care about the 20 million Americans who are going to see their health insurance premiums skyrocket,” she said.

Shaheen was heckled by State Rep. Heath Howard (D-Strafford) when she expressed the desire that she shared with Hassan to extend the tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

“Then why did you vote for it?” asked Howard.

Shaheen was one of eight Democratic senators who voted to reopen the government without ensuring that the ACA credits would be extended.

She quickly delivered a fiery response to Howard’s question.

“You look at our record and you tell me what you’ve done to protect the healthcare of Americans and it’s not even close to what we’ve done,” said Shaheen, raising her voice.

State House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) said she recently toured the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter.

“No person should go hungry in a state where millionaires are getting tax breaks and handouts,” she said.

Simpson said years of Republican ideology have taken their toll on the childcare profession.

“Childcare providers are hanging by a thread,” she said.

Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said that throughout the state, Democrats won 66 percent of the municipal seats that were up for reelection. As a result, he said there are communities that will have no Republicans in office.

Looking ahead to the midterms, Buckley said Democrats must remember that the GOP still has a presence in New Hampshire.

“We can win in 2026, but we cannot falsely believe that we’re a blue state,” he said.