KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Republican congressional candidate Lily Tang Williams put the cost of living, federal spending and reforming Congress at the center of her 2026 campaign during an appearance Tuesday on WKBK’s Good Morning with Dan Mitchell.

Tang Williams is seeking the Republican nomination for New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District and is again taking on Democratic incumbent Maggie Goodlander in a rematch of the 2024 general election. The campaign marks Tang Williams’ third bid for the seat.

Much of Tuesday’s conversation focused on what Tang Williams sees as a growing affordability crisis, particularly for younger Americans trying to buy homes, pay rent, raise children and establish themselves financially.

She pointed to her own family when discussing those challenges, including a daughter who is preparing to get married and faces the difficulty of finding affordable housing. She also said her son recently lost a job at a bank after 10 years, saying artificial intelligence may be changing the nature of some financial-sector work.

“I just love this country, and New Hampshire is the best state in the country,” Tang Williams said. “I really feel like I want to give back to the people and give back to the country, the state I love, and bring our values of New Hampshire to Washington, D.C.”

Tang Williams said the financial pressures facing families cannot be separated from federal fiscal policy. She criticized what she described as years of uncontrolled federal borrowing and spending by both political parties.

“Both parties in Congress contribute to this problem,” she said. “It’s uncontrollable deficit spending and national debt, and it’s like the unlimited credit card.”

She pointed to housing as one example of how government policy can contribute to higher prices. In addition to local zoning restrictions, she said federal regulations can add significantly to the cost of construction.

Childcare was another area she cited, saying regulations can increase costs for providers and ultimately families. She recalled hearing from a mother who said she was spending about $40,000 a year on childcare.

Tang Williams said she would pursue a path toward balancing the federal budget, including spending reductions and changes to the way Congress handles appropriations.

She cited a proposal associated with Sen. Rand Paul that would reduce federal spending by six cents per dollar over five years.

“If we just cut six pennies per dollar in the federal budget, then we can balance the budget,” Tang Williams said, arguing that additional economic growth could then be used to help reduce the national debt.

She also called for zero-based budgeting and an end to the reliance on continuing resolutions and massive omnibus spending packages.

Tang Williams’ campaign platform includes a broad package of congressional reforms. She said she supports term limits, banning individual stock trading by members of Congress, preventing former lawmakers from immediately moving into lobbying careers and establishing an independent congressional ethics commission.

“Our founding fathers never intended to have career politicians,” she said. “We need to get more younger people involved who are fresh and who have great ideas.”

She also criticized special benefits available to members of Congress, arguing lawmakers should not receive preferential treatment on healthcare, retirement or other benefits.

On congressional stock trading, Tang Williams said lawmakers should be prohibited from trading individual stocks because of the information available to them through their positions, while still being permitted to invest through diversified funds such as index funds.

She argued that members of Congress should also face financial consequences when they fail to complete the federal budget process.

The interview also touched on Tang Williams’ willingness to disagree with Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump.

“My duty is to defend the Constitution and also serve the people in my district,” she said.

Trade policy was another topic, with Mitchell asking about tariffs on Canadian products, including lumber, and the uncertainty they can create for businesses.

Tang Williams said tariffs can serve as leverage in negotiations but acknowledged that changing trade policies can make it difficult for businesses to plan.

The conversation then moved overseas, with Mitchell questioning Tang Williams about the war in Iran and the role of Congress in decisions involving military force.

Tang Williams said she believes in “peace through strength” but does not want the United States drawn into another prolonged conflict.

“Wars cost innocent people’s lives, and also, we really don’t have the money,” she said.

She said Congress needs to reclaim its constitutional authority over decisions involving military action and argued that war should be a last resort after diplomatic and economic options have been exhausted.

Social Security was also discussed, particularly how the program can remain solvent for younger workers while protecting people who are already receiving benefits.

“I promised our seniors I will protect (their) benefits because (they) work for it,” Tang Williams said.

She said lawmakers should consider several possible changes, including raising the income cap subject to Social Security taxes, means-testing benefits and reducing fraud and waste.

Tang Williams said younger Americans are increasingly skeptical that Social Security will be available when they reach retirement age, making the issue particularly important to address.

Tang Williams also emphasized her campaign’s focus on direct voter contact. She said she has already held four “Ask Me Anything” town halls and plans additional events, including one in Coos County and a meet-and-greet in Keene.

She said face-to-face conversations are particularly important in a large congressional district where many voters, especially younger ones, feel disconnected from politics.

“I want to engage our young people because they have so much stake in this fight,” she said.

Tang Williams closed the interview by emphasizing transparency and challenging Goodlander to participate in a town-hall-style forum.

“I will tell the truth. I will have town halls,” Tang Williams said. “They all can come to grill me and ask me why I voted this way or that way.”

She also called for more opportunities for voters to hear directly from the candidates, saying, “We need more conversations. We need people to make well-informed decisions, not just listen to talking points.”

Tang Williams’ appearance on WKBK comes as the Republican primary campaign for the 2nd Congressional District moves toward the Sept. 8 primary.

Listen to the full interview: