Former Biden DOJ official Maggie Goodlander wins House primary

• Kuster, who was supporting Van Ostern, went so far as to film a negative ad attacking Goodlander – a rare move for a retiring incumbent.

Zoom in: Goodlander, the daughter of a former Republican New Hampshire state representative, is a lawyer who served as a counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during the first impeachment of former President Trump.

• She later served as a deputy assistant attorney general for anti-trust under Attorney General Merrick Garland.
• Goodlander is the wife of President Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

The backdrop: Goodlander's residency was a major source of attacks on her from Van Ostern, a former New Hampshire executive council member who previously ran for governor and secretary of state.

• Abortion was also a central issue in the race, with Kuster accusing Goodlander of donating "thousands to pro-life Republicans" in her ad for Van Ostern.

• Goodlander, for her part, has touted herself as a champion of reproductive freedom by highlighting her experience giving birth to a stillborn son last year.

What's next: Goodlander is the slight favorite to win in November, as the 2nd district voted for President Biden by 9 percentage points in 2020.

• Cook Political Report rates the district as "likely Democrat".
• Goodlander would be the second Biden administration official elected to Congress after Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), a former White House aide.