Independence and Fiscal Priorities Defined
New Hampshire Congressional District 2 Republican nominee Lily Tang Williams highlighted her political independence and fiscal conservative platform during an interview with The Sentinel’s editorial board on Wednesday morning, as the Nov. 3 general election approaches.
Tang Williams described a results-driven approach she intends to bring to Washington, D.C., while maintaining that she has prioritized her own principles over party loyalty. This stance was previously articulated at an Oct. 14 event hosted by the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy, where Tang Williams stated she "put my principles over party," according to reporting by The Dartmouth.
The upcoming general election on Nov. 3 will feature Tang Williams against incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander. The two candidates are set for a rematch of their 2024 contest, which Goodlander won with 52.9% of the vote to Tang Williams’ 47.0%, according to The Dartmouth.
Tang Williams advanced to the general election after defeating Victor Orlando and Dan Nicholson in the Republican primary on Sept. 8, securing 64.9% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia and The Dartmouth. Ballotpedia lists Tang Williams as the Republican Party candidate on the ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Budget Balancing and Ethics Reform
A central component of Tang Williams’ platform is balancing the federal budget, which she cited as a priority affecting affordability, interest rates, and mortgage rates. She supports a "six-penny" approach to achieving this balance, a method similar to a plan by Sen. Rand Paul.
This proposal involves cutting 6% of federal spending per year for five years across the board. The cuts would apply to entitlement programs including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, according to The Dartmouth.
Tang Williams also advocates for a "zero-based" budgeting process. Under this system, all government spending must be justified from a baseline of zero dollars rather than relying on previous year’s allocations. She specifically criticized the "spend it or lose it" practice currently used in federal budget appropriations.
On ethics reform, Tang Williams cited several measures including a ban on individual stock trading for members of Congress, term limits, and restrictions on "revolving door" lobbying practices. She stated she believes there is widespread corruption in Congress and argued that members trading individual stocks are "serving themselves, not serving the people,"
Gun Rights and Foreign Policy Stances
Beyond fiscal policy, Tang Williams has outlined positions on gun rights and national security. She expressed support for nationwide "constitutional carry" regarding concealed handguns, a policy that allows individuals to carry concealed weapons without obtaining a permit.
On the subject of foreign policy, specifically military action in Iran, Tang Williams said she would support a war powers resolution forcing the president to seek congressional approval to continue the Iran War. She also stated that Iran "should not have" nuclear weapons.