Williams, Orlando Turn Up Heat In 2nd Congressional District GOP Primary Showdown

By Leonard Robinson, NH Journal

Republicans Victor Orlando and Lily Tang Williams were ready to rumble when they took the stage at the New Hampshire Journal NH-02 GOP primary debate Thursday night — in stark contrast to the mild-mannered NH-01 primary debate the night before.

While the two agreed on many issues, including their support for much of President Donald Trump’s agenda, they also took direct swipes at each other on the issue of electability.

Williams questioned whether Orlando had the fundraising ability to raise the resources needed to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Maggie Goodlander. Orlando pointed to Williams’ previous electoral losses and questioned whether her libertarian background would appeal to Granite State Republicans.

The exchange came halfway through the debate at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. Orlando, a Hollis roofing contractor and businessman, was explaining how he would bring a larger share of federal spending back to New Hampshire if elected.

Williams, the GOP frontrunner and the party’s 2024 nominee, responded by pointing to Orlando’s fundraising and asking how he would “convince people in Congress to support and co-sponsor your bills?”

“It’s not about money,” Orlando said. “Democrats have outraised us four to one in many cases, including Maggie Goodlander who has outraised my primary opponent four to one right now.”

Electability is a top issue for Republicans in a district they haven’t carried since 2010. When Orlando pointed out Williams’ four previous losses as a candidate — including two in the 2nd Congressional District — Williams shot back that she won 47 percent of the vote in her 2024 loss to Goodlander, the best performance by a Republican in a decade.

An Aug. 17-18 Saint Anselm College Survey Center poll showed Goodlander holding a 15-point advantage over Williams in a potential general election matchup. The same poll found 53 percent of likely NH-02 Republican primary voters backing Williams, compared to just 7 percent for Orlando, with the remaining 40 percent undecided.

Williams’ fundraising is substantial for a Republican NH-02 primary candidate. Federal Election Commission records show her campaign reported nearly $1.2 million in receipts through Aug. 19, including a $120,000 candidate loan. She is among the state’s top Republican fundraisers, aided by her online presence and name recognition.

Goodlander reported $3.7 million in receipts through June 30.

Orlando’s campaign reported $165,181 in receipts through June 30, including $157,906 in contributions from the candidate. It reported just $7,275 in individual contributions from other donors.

Orlando, who has positioned himself as the working-class candidate with union backing, supports tariffs but believes more exemptions should be used to limit economic disruption for Americans.

“We need to do it in a slow, methodical process so we have time for supply chains to adapt,” Orlando said. “There’s people in New Hampshire that feel every time we have a trade spat with Canada. If we do something [more] systemically, we give time for industries to move supply chains to keep customers out of the mess.”

Both candidates also expressed support for U.S. involvement in the war with Iran. Williams, however, declined to say whether she would have voted for the Massie amendment, which would have blocked U.S. military aid to Israel.

“Before I vote for any bills, I would like to read them because the devil is in the details,” said Williams, an immigrant from China. “As a general topic, we need to talk about foreign aid and what is in the best interest of the United States especially when we have $40 trillion in debt.”

Goodlander supported the amendment, while U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas voted “present.” Orlando said he would have opposed the amendment.

“We’ve built a lot of allies (in the Middle East), but there’s a difference between an ally and a friend,” Orlando said. “A friend is someone who, if they see you in a fight, they jump in, they get a black eye with you. I don’t see another ally in that region who I can call our friend.”

On social issues, both said they would support a federal ban on sex-change procedures for minor children. In the NH-01 debate the night before, Rep. Brian Cole and businesswoman Hollie Noveletsky both said the same, but businessman Anthony DiLorenzo said states should make this decision.

Debate attendees told NHJournal on Thursday that while they appreciated both candidates, their focus ahead of the Sept. 8 primary was on who had the best chance of taking the seat from Democrats.

Tim Finney said Williams’ background as an immigrant from China gives her a unique perspective voters should hear, particularly with the rise of Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates on the ballot this November.

“I’m all for Lily on this because she’s got the experience from China,” Finney told NHJournal. “With the DSA taking off across the country, I want to hear from somebody like her.”

For Hollis resident Jack Langley, Orlando’s attacks on Williams’ record — including his closing remarks noting how frequently she used the words “I” and “mine” during the campaign — felt less persuasive.

“Some of that stuff I thought he threw out was kind of like spaghetti against the wall,” Langley said. “He’s a challenger, he’s got to do that.”

Rep. Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) said both candidates “were very strong, presented themselves well,” but he didn’t like it when they started throwing punches.

“That personal stuff? I don’t care for that.”

Vincente Villegas, Orlando’s neighbor who immigrated to the United States from Mexico, told NHJournal that Williams’ story, while inspiring, is not what is needed in an election in which affordability is at the top of many voters’ minds.

“She’s not the right person because we want somebody that knows exactly how it feels to be struggling,” Villegas said.

“I’m tired of hearing the whole thing about China,” Villegas added. “I’m from Mexico and I know all the stuff that Mexico is doing to the United States, but I’m focusing on how the U.S. is going to become better for us and that’s what he [Orlando] is focusing on too.”

Bob Berkman, another Hollis resident, said Orlando’s strength was his presentation and seriousness throughout the debate.

“His strength is his nonverbal communication,” Berkman told NHJournal. “The way he stands, the way he’s poised. He never got rattled up there even when shots were fired.”

The common thread among attendees was a desire to make history by defeating Goodlander, regardless of the outcome on Sept. 8.

“At the end of the day, we need to beat Maggie,” Aaron Penkasik, an Orlando supporter who said he remains friends with Williams, told NHJournal. “I don’t care who does it. Just do it.”

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.