An unprecedented New Hampshire primary
New Hampshire presidential primary sets stage for 2024 election season
As published for Elon News Network
The 2024 “first in the nation” presidential primary in New Hampshire marked a deviation from precedent, where both Republicans and Democrats would host their respective primary elections in the Granite State. But this year, the primary for the Democrats officially shifted to South Carolina, while the Republican primary remained in New Hampshire.
On the heels of the Iowa Caucus, the Trump, Haley and DeSantis campaigns shifted their focus to New Hampshire as all three remaining Republican candidates battled for the hearts of voters across the state.
Former United Nations Ambassador and Republican Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley speaks on the "Good Morning NH with Jack Heath" show in Concord, New Hampshire on Jan. 16, 2024. Haley arrived less than 24 hours after finishing third place in the Iowa Caucus and after only getting around three hours of sleep.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a town hall event at the LaBelle Winery in Derry, New Hampshire on Jan. 17, 2024, less than a week before dropping out of the race. Republican Congressmen Chip Roy and Thomas Massie were also in attendance.
Roughly 4.5 inches of snow falls in Manchester, New Hampshire on Jan. 16, 2024, a week out from the Presidential primary election.
The 2024 “first in the nation” presidential primary in New Hampshire marked a deviation from precedent, where both Republicans and Democrats would host their respective primary elections in the Granite State. But this year, the primary for the Democrats officially shifted to South Carolina, while the Republican primary remained in New Hampshire.
This decision by the Democratic Party drew criticism from New Hampshire voters such as Shannon Rand, as their “first in the nation” status has been a subject of pride for the Granite state for decades.
“It's really disappointing,” Rand said. “I've lived here for 46 years, tradition matters.”
Some New Hampshirites, including Roger Bleau, supported the move by the Democratic Party and claimed that South Carolina has a more diverse population, which would be a better place to host the first primary.
“I think it's a good move because we are the fourth whitest state in the country,” Bleau said. “If you go to South Carolina, we have all kinds of demographics. I think It's more indicative of the rest of the country so I think it's important and it doesn't bother me that they are first.”
Although the first official primary occurred later on Feb. 3 in South Carolina, Democratic hopefulls including Congressman Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson still campaigned for the unofficial primary.
Minnesota Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dean Phillips speaks at a campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire on Jan. 18, 2024 aside former 2020 Presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
A supporter of former President Trump, who goes by "Corn Pop" braves sub-freezing temperatures in a line outside Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Jan. 20, 2024, to attend a Trump campaign rally.
After coming in third place in Iowa, the Nikki Haley campaign made a push to get out the vote among moderate Republicans and independents. Haley signs can be seen outside of a campaign event at VFW Post 1698 in Franklin, New Hampshire on Jan. 22, 2024.
Biden write-in campaign volunteers cross Central Ave in Dover, New Hampshire on Jan 21, 2024, as they attempt to spread awareness about the write-in campaign for the New Hampshire presidential primary. While Biden was not officially on the ballot, the President won the unofficial Democratic primary with roughly 63.9%.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis laughs at an event at the LaBelle Winery in Derry, New Hampshire on Jan. 17, 2024.
Although DeSantis came in second place in the Iowa Caucus, he would later drop out of the Republican race on Jan. 21, merely days before the New Hampshire Primary. While running, both DeSantis and Haley battled to be the alternative Republican candidate to former President Trump. After dropping out, DeSantis endorsed Trump. The race narrowed to a match between former United Nations Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former President Trump. After declining to participate in Republican debates without Trump, Haley crisscrossed the state of New Hampshire to gain support among voters.
Former President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally inside Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Jan. 20, 2024. The rally occurred seven years to the day since Trump was sworn in as the 45th President in 2017.
Residents of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire count ballots shortly after midnight on Jan. 23 inside a house at The Balsams Resort. All six voting residents of Dixville Notch voted for Nikki Haley. Les Otten, the owner of The Balsams Resort, was the first person to vote in Dixville Notch at midnight
Primary election day began on Jan. 23 in the small community of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, located a mere 20 miles from the Canadian border. Due to dwindling and aging populations, Dixville Notch is the last location still conducts midnight voting.
Within hours after the polls closed on Jan. 23, the Republican primary was called for former President Trump, who won over Haley roughly 54.3% to 43.2%. President Biden won a successful write-in campaign with 63.9% of the vote. Both Iowa and New Hampshire results have signaled a potential Biden-Trump rematch in November.
Former President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally inside Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Jan. 20.