Former Trump Staffer Launches 1st Congressional District Seat Bid

HAMPTON, NH — A former Trump staffer has launched a campaign to become the first Republican woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire.

Karoline Leavitt, who previously worked as an assistant press secretary for President Donald J. Trump as well as being the spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), said if elected, she would be a “conservative firewall” between the state and Washington, D.C. Leavitt is a New Hampshire native, having been born and raised in Atkinson, attending school in the Timberlane Regional School District, a Catholic school in Massachusetts, and then, Saint Anselm College in Manchester.

Leavitt posted this announcement video on YouTube.com.

Along with promoting “America first” policies like that of her former boss, Leavitt said she would support small businesses and preserve basic freedoms — while working to keep conservatives from being censored and silenced. She knows this first hand having seen her Twitter account shutdown, while working for Stefanik, for no known reasons, a story that made national news.

“Our basic freedoms, to speak freely, think independently, bear arms, go to church, and operate our own businesses, are being infringed by radical Democrats,” she said. “We need a bold, energetic fighter to serve as a firewall between ‘We The People’ and those who want to destroy our way of life. I am that fighter.”

On Tuesday, Leavitt signed the U.S. Term Limits Pledge, agreeing to co-sponsor an amendment to the Constitution supporting a maximum of three House terms and two Senate terms.

"I am proud to stand with the overwhelming majority of Americans who support term limits and want to kick corrupt, career politicians out of our government,” she said. “For far too long, our country has been deprived of young, energetic leaders in Washington, D.C. who are accountable to the voters they were elected to represent - not special interests or lobbyists. The Constitutional Amendment imposing term limits on Members of Congress is an important step towards achieving a government that is truly by the people, and for the people."

If she is elected, Leavitt will be the first Republican woman to serve in Congress.

Only two women have served New Hampshire in Congress in the past — Carol Shea Porter, who represented the 1st Congressional District for four terms between 2007 and 2019, and Ann McLane Kuster, who has served in the 2nd Congressional District since January 2013. Leavitt would also be one of the youngest members of Congress ever, too, since she is 23 and will turn 25 in 2022.

The 2022 race is expected to be competitive since the 2020 U.S. Census data will lead to redistricting and there is a good chance that when all is said and done, due to migration into New Hampshire from other states, communities will shift between the state’s two districts. Matt Mowers, who ran in 2020 but lost to U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) by less than 20,000 votes, is expected to run again. Julian Acciard, a former Marine, has said he will be a candidate as has state Rep. Tim Baxter (R-Seabrook).

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