LOADINGERROR LOADING
New Hampshirites headed to the polls Tuesday for the Granite State’s first-in-the-nation primary.
Coming off an overwhelming victory in last week’s Iowa caucuses, former President Donald Trump was projected the winner right after polls closed and is on track to pick up most of New Hampshire’s 22 Republican delegates. His sole remaining challenger is former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, who has been polling over 10 points behind the former president in New Hampshire. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the race just two days before the primary, but will still appear on the ballot.
While Democrats also voted Tuesday, no delegates are at stake due to a dispute between national and state party officials over primary scheduling. President Joe Biden is not on the ballot as a result of that dispute, but many Democrats are still planning to vote for him via write-in. Democrats on the ballot include Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson.
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For live results from the primaries, go here.
Read live updates on the New Hampshire primary below:
That's A Wrap For New Hampshire!
That's a wrap on our live coverage of the New Hampshire primary. You can keep following our team's political coverage on our website.
The next race on the 2024 primary election calendar will be South Carolina's Democratic primary on Feb. 3. See you then!
The next race on the 2024 primary election calendar will be South Carolina's Democratic primary on Feb. 3. See you then!
Fox News Host Calls Out Trump's 'Narcissism And Rage'
Fox News host Jessica Tarlov criticized Trump for his “uncontrollable narcissism and rage,” saying that while this may appeal to his hardcore supporters, it could ultimately end up disenfranchising other voters in a general election.
Mary Trump: 'I Know Exactly How We Can Defeat Him'
Mary Trump, one of her uncle's biggest critics, pointed to polling showing "cracks in Donald's support" as she claimed he could lose in November in a potential rematch between him and Biden.
“If this trend continues, President Biden will have more support from Democrats than Donald will have among Republicans,” she said.
“If this trend continues, President Biden will have more support from Democrats than Donald will have among Republicans,” she said.
WSJ Says Haley's Performance Justifies Her Decision To Stay In
"The press came to New Hampshire to bury Nikki Haley, but it looks like they’ll have to put down the shovels for now," the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal wrote.
The conservative newspaper argued that despite losing to Trump, Haley did well enough to justify her decision to stay in the race, noting though that the pressure is only going to intensify on her to drop out in the coming weeks.
"Ms. Haley’s strength with independent voters revealed a howling weakness for Mr. Trump if he is the GOP nominee," they wrote. "Mr. Trump has the majority of his party behind him, but his appeal across the electorate remains as limited as it was during his Presidency and when he lost in 2020."
The editorial board called on Haley to not shy away from attacking Trump and stressed the need for her to develop a more concrete vision about her plans for the country if she wins the White House in November.
If Haley manages to do well in the upcoming contests she could continue to make her case to GOP voters and see what happens if Trump gets convicted, the editorial board claims.
"If Mr. Trump wins the nomination but loses in November, Ms. Haley will be able to say she took the risk to warn the party," they continued. "The race in 2028 will be wide open. Meanwhile, she can give the party a policy debate that Mr. Trump wants to duck and audition across the country for her political future."
The conservative newspaper argued that despite losing to Trump, Haley did well enough to justify her decision to stay in the race, noting though that the pressure is only going to intensify on her to drop out in the coming weeks.
"Ms. Haley’s strength with independent voters revealed a howling weakness for Mr. Trump if he is the GOP nominee," they wrote. "Mr. Trump has the majority of his party behind him, but his appeal across the electorate remains as limited as it was during his Presidency and when he lost in 2020."
The editorial board called on Haley to not shy away from attacking Trump and stressed the need for her to develop a more concrete vision about her plans for the country if she wins the White House in November.
If Haley manages to do well in the upcoming contests she could continue to make her case to GOP voters and see what happens if Trump gets convicted, the editorial board claims.
"If Mr. Trump wins the nomination but loses in November, Ms. Haley will be able to say she took the risk to warn the party," they continued. "The race in 2028 will be wide open. Meanwhile, she can give the party a policy debate that Mr. Trump wants to duck and audition across the country for her political future."
Tim Scott Reacts To Trump's Dig At Haley Over His Endorsement
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who the former president is reportedly considering as a potential running mate, endorsed Trump over Haley despite the fact that the former South Carolina governor had appointed him to his Senate seat in 2012.
“Did you ever think that she actually appointed you, Tim?” Trump asked. “And you’re the senator of her state. And [you] endorsed me. You must really hate her."
“I just love you,” Scott replied.
“Did you ever think that she actually appointed you, Tim?” Trump asked. “And you’re the senator of her state. And [you] endorsed me. You must really hate her."
“I just love you,” Scott replied.
Ex-Pence Aide Recalls Trump-Haley Oval Office Moment That Everyone's Forgotten
Olivia Troye, who served in the Trump White House as an aide to former Vice President Mike Pence, told Johanna Maska’s podcast “Press Advance,” she never heard Trump talking negatively about Haley during the time she served in his administration.
Troye said Haley was “probably the only person that I can think of in the administration that got a laudatory farewell in the Oval Office,” as she recalled Trump praising Haley as he accepted her resignation in front of TV cameras.
“Everyone’s forgotten that one, and I sat there watching in shock,” Troye added.
Troye said Haley was “probably the only person that I can think of in the administration that got a laudatory farewell in the Oval Office,” as she recalled Trump praising Haley as he accepted her resignation in front of TV cameras.
“Everyone’s forgotten that one, and I sat there watching in shock,” Troye added.
Sununu Claims New Hampshire Voters 'Put Wind In [Haley's] Sails'
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who endorsed Haley and campaigned with her ahead of his state's primary contest, said the GOP candidate "turned the narrative of the national media on its head" despite her second-place finish last night.
"Granite State voters put wind in her sails as she heads off to her sweet home state of South Carolina," he wrote in a post on X.
"Granite State voters put wind in her sails as she heads off to her sweet home state of South Carolina," he wrote in a post on X.
Joy Reid Says It's 'Fascinating' To Watch The GOP 'Self-Destruct On Purpose'
MSNBC host Joy Reid says she finds it perplexing that the Republican Party is sticking with Trump despite the fact that he has previously hurt the GOP's performance in key races, including the 2022 midterm elections.
"It is fascinating to me to watch a political party make the decision to self-destruct on purpose to go down with the man who has delivered them the greatest and most historic defeats that one could have in the modern era and who is also promising to deliver an autocracy," Reid said.
"It is fascinating to me to watch a political party make the decision to self-destruct on purpose to go down with the man who has delivered them the greatest and most historic defeats that one could have in the modern era and who is also promising to deliver an autocracy," Reid said.
Taylor Greene Says GOP Will 'Eradicate' Those Who Don't Fall In Line
Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) was in New Hampshire to talk up Trump on Tuesday night.
While her interview with former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was hijacked by veteran presidential candidate Vermin Supreme brushing the teeth of a unicorn mask, she struck a threatening tone in another interview later.
“This is a true change for the Republican Party," Taylor Greene said after Trump was declared the winner in New Hampshire.
"It says that not only do we support President Trump, we support his policies. And any Republican that isn’t willing to adapt these policies, we are completely eradicating from the party. So it’s up to Nikki Haley, what she does."
While her interview with former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was hijacked by veteran presidential candidate Vermin Supreme brushing the teeth of a unicorn mask, she struck a threatening tone in another interview later.
“This is a true change for the Republican Party," Taylor Greene said after Trump was declared the winner in New Hampshire.
"It says that not only do we support President Trump, we support his policies. And any Republican that isn’t willing to adapt these policies, we are completely eradicating from the party. So it’s up to Nikki Haley, what she does."
'This Showing Tonight's Weak, Right?'
Fox News' Brit Hume said that Trump's win in New Hampshire actually exposes a "weakness."
“If you think of him as an incumbent, this showing tonight’s weak, right?” he said. “He should be doing better.”
Hume also pointed out that Trump has seen a lot of losses, including lots of his candidates losing in 2022.
“If you think of him as an incumbent, this showing tonight’s weak, right?” he said. “He should be doing better.”
Hume also pointed out that Trump has seen a lot of losses, including lots of his candidates losing in 2022.
Canada Preparing For Possible Trump Win
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet have been meeting with experts to prepare for the "uncertainty" that another Trump presidency would bring.
They did not mention anything about preparations for a Haley presidency.
“We made it through the challenges represented by the Trump administration seven years ago, for four years, where we put forward the fact that Canada and the U.S. do best when we do it together,” Trudeau said.
Most Canadians were relieved when Trump was defeated in 2020.
They did not mention anything about preparations for a Haley presidency.
“We made it through the challenges represented by the Trump administration seven years ago, for four years, where we put forward the fact that Canada and the U.S. do best when we do it together,” Trudeau said.
Most Canadians were relieved when Trump was defeated in 2020.
Biden Campaign Sells Merch Targeting Trump
Biden and his team are already treating Trump as the Republican nominee despite Haley's pledge to stay in the race.
His campaign is now selling T-shirts and stickers stating: "TOGETHER, WE WILL DEFEAT TRUMP. AGAIN."
His campaign is now selling T-shirts and stickers stating: "TOGETHER, WE WILL DEFEAT TRUMP. AGAIN."
Maddow Offers Real-Time Fact Check On Trump's 'Unusual Victory Speech'
MSNBC host Rachel Maddow had to pull the plug twice on Trump's victory speech as the former president continued to push lies, including falsely stating that he won New Hampshire in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.
Maddow called it an "unusual victory speech" and said his words were a form of "reality bullying."
Maddow called it an "unusual victory speech" and said his words were a form of "reality bullying."
Axelrod Questions Whether Haley Wants To 'Put Her Popularity To A Test' In Her Home State
Despite Haley claiming "this race is far from over," Democratic strategist David Axelrod said he's not sure the GOP candidate really wants to stay in the contest and face a potential defeat in South Carolina, where she served as governor from 2011 to 2017.
"I question whether she really ultimately wants to go forward to South Carolina and put her popularity to a test in her home state," Axelrod told CNN.
Indeed, Haley faces an uphill battle in the Palmetto State. According to an average of polls by FiveThirtyEight, Haley trails Trump by over 37 percentage points in South Carolina.
"I question whether she really ultimately wants to go forward to South Carolina and put her popularity to a test in her home state," Axelrod told CNN.
Indeed, Haley faces an uphill battle in the Palmetto State. According to an average of polls by FiveThirtyEight, Haley trails Trump by over 37 percentage points in South Carolina.
Republicans Keep Lining Up Behind Donald Trump
Sens. John Cornyn and Deb Fisher were quick to throw their support behind Trump after his showing Tuesday night, joining a slate of his former competitors who had already endorsed him. The former president cheered his own victory as Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, said she didn’t “see it” for Haley going forward.
The momentum has only grown in recent days despite Haley’s pledge to remain in the race.
The momentum has only grown in recent days despite Haley’s pledge to remain in the race.
5 Takeaways From The New Hampshire Primary
Tuesday night’s results in the Granite State put the country one step closer to a long-expected rematch between Trump and Biden. But there were a few major takeaways: Haley’s toughest days are ahead, and her hits against Trump's mental fitness are both annoying him and helping Biden.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
RNC Chair Says GOP Needs To Unite Around Trump Now
Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, all but told Haley to drop out after her loss in New Hampshire.
"I'm looking at the map and the path going forward, and I don't see it for Nikki Haley,” McDaniel said on Fox News. “I think she's run a great campaign. But I do think there is a message that's coming out from the voters, which is very clear. We need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump.”
"I'm looking at the map and the path going forward, and I don't see it for Nikki Haley,” McDaniel said on Fox News. “I think she's run a great campaign. But I do think there is a message that's coming out from the voters, which is very clear. We need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump.”
Trump Freaks Out About Nikki Haley On Truth Social
Trump may have won on Tuesday night, but he didn’t seem very happy about it.
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Kellyanne Conway Said What?
Election denialism is only okay when Trump does it – at least that’s what Kellyanne Conway, the Trump counselor-turned-Fox News correspondent, seemed to suggest during a TV appearance tonight.
“This is a democracy, a constitutional republic,” Conway said on Fox News. “We must respect the will of the people. And Nikki Haley can't become an election denier. She has been rejected.”
Conway didn’t publicly acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election – a fact that has been repeatedly adjudicated in court – until publishing her book in 2022.
“This is a democracy, a constitutional republic,” Conway said on Fox News. “We must respect the will of the people. And Nikki Haley can't become an election denier. She has been rejected.”
Conway didn’t publicly acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election – a fact that has been repeatedly adjudicated in court – until publishing her book in 2022.
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Dean Phillips Shares What It Would Take For Him To Drop Out
Phillips told reporters that he’s still “introducing myself to the country,” and that before dropping out of the race against Biden for the nomination, he needs to get enough name recognition to be tested against Trump.
“What I'm saying is this: I don’t know what my name recognition is. It was zero just ten weeks ago. I would imagine in this country right now, it is probably 5 or 10%, tops,” the Minnesota representative said, according to Politico. “I was a brand-builder before this in the private sector. It takes recognition of a name or a brand in order to actually test it. I need some months to do that.”
Before entering office, Phillips served as president and CEO of his family's liquor business and launched several companies.
He continued: “When a reasonable time has passed, when enough people at least know who I am, and we have legitimate polls that test me against Donald Trump and Joe Biden against Donald Trump, at least Democrats and I will have all the data we need to make a decision.”
“What I'm saying is this: I don’t know what my name recognition is. It was zero just ten weeks ago. I would imagine in this country right now, it is probably 5 or 10%, tops,” the Minnesota representative said, according to Politico. “I was a brand-builder before this in the private sector. It takes recognition of a name or a brand in order to actually test it. I need some months to do that.”
Before entering office, Phillips served as president and CEO of his family's liquor business and launched several companies.
He continued: “When a reasonable time has passed, when enough people at least know who I am, and we have legitimate polls that test me against Donald Trump and Joe Biden against Donald Trump, at least Democrats and I will have all the data we need to make a decision.”
AP
Joe Biden Says It’s ‘Clear’ Donald Trump Will Be GOP Nominee
As far as Biden is concerned, the general election started Tuesday with Trump’s victory in New Hampshire.
“It is now clear that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee,” he said in a Tuesday evening statement. “And my message to the country is the stakes could not be higher.”
Earlier Tuesday, Biden signaled a similar message by dispatching several key White House staffers to his re-election campaign.
The president also thanked supporters for mounting a successful write-in campaign.
“It was a historic demonstration of commitment to our democratic process,” Biden said. “And I want to say to all those Independents and Republicans who share our commitment to core values of our nation — our Democracy, our personal freedoms, an economy that gives everyone a fair shot — to join us as Americans.”
“It is now clear that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee,” he said in a Tuesday evening statement. “And my message to the country is the stakes could not be higher.”
Earlier Tuesday, Biden signaled a similar message by dispatching several key White House staffers to his re-election campaign.
The president also thanked supporters for mounting a successful write-in campaign.
“It was a historic demonstration of commitment to our democratic process,” Biden said. “And I want to say to all those Independents and Republicans who share our commitment to core values of our nation — our Democracy, our personal freedoms, an economy that gives everyone a fair shot — to join us as Americans.”
Donald Trump Peeved Nikki Haley Isn't Dropping Out Yet
Delivering remarks at his election victory party in Nashua, Trump seemed peeved that Haley decided to stay in the GOP presidential race despite finishing second in the Granite State.
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Nikki Haley Reminds Voters Of Donald Trump's Legal Issues
Haley vowed to push on with her presidential campaign Tuesday, using some of her toughest language to date against Trump after finishing in a closer-than-expected second place in the New Hampshire primary.
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Read more:
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
‘She Didn’t Win, She Lost:’ Angry Donald Trump Blasts Nikki Haley After New Hampshire Victory
Trump attacked Haley, his lone major competitor, on Tuesday night, lambasting her effort to declare her performance in New Hampshire as a political victory.
“Who the hell was the impostor that went up on the stage that went before and claimed victory?” Trump told his supporters, appearing angry at times. He went on to say she, in fact, did “very poorly” in the primary.
“She didn’t win, she lost," he said.
The former president was joined by several of his former Republican competitors, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.
“We had one hell of a night tonight,” Trump declared as votes were still rolling in. “This was a great evening.”
“Who the hell was the impostor that went up on the stage that went before and claimed victory?” Trump told his supporters, appearing angry at times. He went on to say she, in fact, did “very poorly” in the primary.
“She didn’t win, she lost," he said.
The former president was joined by several of his former Republican competitors, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.
“We had one hell of a night tonight,” Trump declared as votes were still rolling in. “This was a great evening.”
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Republican Senator Who Once Condemned Capitol Attack Endorses Donald Trump
Following Trump’s win in New Hampshire, Republican Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer said she was giving him her full support – despite once speaking out against his refusal to accept the 2020 election results.
“It’s time for Republicans to unite around President Donald Trump and make Joe Biden a one-term president,” she said in a statement, adding, “I endorse Donald Trump for President so we can secure our border, get our economy moving again, and keep America safe.”
Fischer was on Capitol Hill when the violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the halls of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop the certification of Biden as president. She went against Trump and said she would vote to certify the election in Biden’s favor.
“These rioters have no constitutional right to harm law enforcement and storm our Capitol. We are a nation of laws, not some banana republic,” she said at the time. “This must end now.”
“It’s time for Republicans to unite around President Donald Trump and make Joe Biden a one-term president,” she said in a statement, adding, “I endorse Donald Trump for President so we can secure our border, get our economy moving again, and keep America safe.”
Fischer was on Capitol Hill when the violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the halls of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop the certification of Biden as president. She went against Trump and said she would vote to certify the election in Biden’s favor.
“These rioters have no constitutional right to harm law enforcement and storm our Capitol. We are a nation of laws, not some banana republic,” she said at the time. “This must end now.”
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Majority Of Undeclared Voters Favored Nikki Haley
A CNN exit poll found that nearly three-quarters of voters registered as Republicans were in favor of Trump. Meanwhile, roughly two-thirds of voters registered as undeclared (what other states would call independent voters) were in favor of Haley.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
George Santos Drops By Donald Trump's Victory Party
Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who was expelled from Congress in December, made an appearance at Trump's primary night party in Nashua.
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Nikki Haley Hints Donald Trump Is Scared To Debate Her
Haley made a last-ditch effort to get Trump, who’s refused to participate in any of the GOP debates this election cycle, to face off against her in one.
“I've long called for mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75,” Haley told a crowd of supporters Tuesday after the race was called for Trump. “Trump claims he’d do better than me in one of those tests. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t. But if he thinks that, then he should have no problem standing on a debate stage with me.”
“I've long called for mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75,” Haley told a crowd of supporters Tuesday after the race was called for Trump. “Trump claims he’d do better than me in one of those tests. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t. But if he thinks that, then he should have no problem standing on a debate stage with me.”
Biden-Harris Campaign Reacts To Trump Win
“Tonight’s results confirm Donald Trump has all but locked up the GOP nomination, and the election denying, anti-freedom MAGA movement has completed its takeover of the Republican Party," Biden-Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez said in a statement Tuesday. "Trump is offering Americans the same extreme agenda that has cost Republicans election after election: promising to undermine American democracy, reward the wealthy on the backs of the middle class, and ban abortion nationwide."
"Joe Biden sees things differently," she continued. "He’s fighting to grow our economy for the middle-class, strengthen our democracy, and protect the rights of every single American. While we work toward November 2024, one thing is increasingly clear today: Donald Trump is headed straight into a general election matchup where he’ll face the only person to have ever beaten him at the ballot box: Joe Biden."
"Joe Biden sees things differently," she continued. "He’s fighting to grow our economy for the middle-class, strengthen our democracy, and protect the rights of every single American. While we work toward November 2024, one thing is increasingly clear today: Donald Trump is headed straight into a general election matchup where he’ll face the only person to have ever beaten him at the ballot box: Joe Biden."
Key Moment
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Nikki Haley Holds Strong: ‘This Race Is Far From Over’
Haley addressed her supporters quickly after Trump’s projected win.
“I want to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory tonight. He earned it, and I want to acknowledge that,” Haley said before vowing to continue her campaign.
“Now you've all heard the chatter among the political class. They're falling all over themselves saying this race is over. … This race is far from over. There are dozens of states left to go,” she said, pointing to her rise in the polls over the last few months.
“We're the last one standing next to Donald Trump,” she said, mentioning the other primary candidates who have dropped out. “Today we got close to half of the vote.”
The next primary is in South Carolina, Haley’s home state where she served as governor from 2011 to 2017.
“I want to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory tonight. He earned it, and I want to acknowledge that,” Haley said before vowing to continue her campaign.
“Now you've all heard the chatter among the political class. They're falling all over themselves saying this race is over. … This race is far from over. There are dozens of states left to go,” she said, pointing to her rise in the polls over the last few months.
“We're the last one standing next to Donald Trump,” she said, mentioning the other primary candidates who have dropped out. “Today we got close to half of the vote.”
The next primary is in South Carolina, Haley’s home state where she served as governor from 2011 to 2017.
Biden-Trump Rematch Likely For November
New Hampshire voters on Tuesday appear to have set up another November general election featuring Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump, only this time with Biden as the incumbent and the coup-attempting former president as the challenger.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Donald Trump Is Already Gloating About His Victory
Just moments after networks called the race in his favor, Trump took to Truth Social to mock Haley.
"Haley said she had to WIN in New Hampshire," he wrote. "SHE DIDN’T!!!"
"Haley said she had to WIN in New Hampshire," he wrote. "SHE DIDN’T!!!"
Sen. John Cornyn Lines Up Behind Donald Trump
Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) said Tuesday he had “seen enough” after the outcome of the New Hampshire primary.
“To beat Biden, Republicans need to unite around a single candidate, and it’s clear that President Trump is Republican voters’ choice,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Four more years of failed domestic policies like the Biden Border Crisis and record-high inflation, and failed foreign policies that have emboldened our adversaries and made the world a more dangerous place, must be stopped.”
Cornyn went on to say he was “proud” of Trump’s first term.
“To beat Biden, Republicans need to unite around a single candidate, and it’s clear that President Trump is Republican voters’ choice,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Four more years of failed domestic policies like the Biden Border Crisis and record-high inflation, and failed foreign policies that have emboldened our adversaries and made the world a more dangerous place, must be stopped.”
Cornyn went on to say he was “proud” of Trump’s first term.
Key Moment
Biden Wins Without Being On The Ballot
President Joe Biden won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday, securing a symbolic victory in spite of his absence from the ballot and the state’s irrelevance to the official nominating process.
Enough New Hampshirites wrote in Biden’s name on the ballot for him to triumph over U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), self-help author Marianne Williamson, and 19 other contenders who took advantage of the ease with which candidates can qualify for the presidential ballot in the Granite State.
Read more here.
Enough New Hampshirites wrote in Biden’s name on the ballot for him to triumph over U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), self-help author Marianne Williamson, and 19 other contenders who took advantage of the ease with which candidates can qualify for the presidential ballot in the Granite State.
Read more here.
Key Moment
Trump, Under Criminal Prosecution For His Coup Attempt, Wins Anyway
Despite facing both federal and Georgia state prosecutions related to his coup attempt, Donald Trump nevertheless beat Nikki Haley in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, although by a much narrower margin that recent polls had suggested.
The former president had been leading Haley, his own United Nations ambassador, by 16-18 points in the most recent polling. Exit poll results and early returns Tuesday evening indicate that the final margin will be considerably smaller.
Read more here.
The former president had been leading Haley, his own United Nations ambassador, by 16-18 points in the most recent polling. Exit poll results and early returns Tuesday evening indicate that the final margin will be considerably smaller.
Read more here.
The Scene At Dean Phillips' Party
George Santos Among Attendees At Trump's Watch Party
Disgraced former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) and former GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy were among the attendees of Trump’s watch party at a Sheraton Hotel in Nashua.
Santos was pictured smiling and speaking with Trump supporters at the event just hours after he appeared in federal court over allegations that he defrauded donors to his own campaign, stole their identities and spent thousands of dollars on their credit cards.
Ramaswamy dropped out of his race against Trump just over a week ago.
Santos was pictured smiling and speaking with Trump supporters at the event just hours after he appeared in federal court over allegations that he defrauded donors to his own campaign, stole their identities and spent thousands of dollars on their credit cards.
Ramaswamy dropped out of his race against Trump just over a week ago.
Key Moment
Trump Wins New Hampshire
Trump is projected to win the New Hampshire primary. The victory gives him a seemingly unassailable stranglehold on the Republican nominating contest.
House GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik Congratulates Trump… Before Polls Are Closed
Stefanik issued a full-throated congratulations to Trump after his showing in New Hampshire... with less than 20% of votes in and before all polls closed on Tuesday night.
“Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his monumental victory in the New Hampshire Primary and making history as the first GOP challenger candidate to win both Iowa and New Hampshire!” the New York Republican said in a statement. “Thank you to the Granite Staters for your incredible support for President Trump.”
Stefanik went on to say New Hampshire voters had “overwhelmingly rejected Nikki Haley,” calling on her to suspend her campaign.
Early results appeared to show a closer race than polls suggested.
“Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his monumental victory in the New Hampshire Primary and making history as the first GOP challenger candidate to win both Iowa and New Hampshire!” the New York Republican said in a statement. “Thank you to the Granite Staters for your incredible support for President Trump.”
Stefanik went on to say New Hampshire voters had “overwhelmingly rejected Nikki Haley,” calling on her to suspend her campaign.
Early results appeared to show a closer race than polls suggested.
Live Updates On Results
To view live results from the New Hampshire primaries, go here.
Key Moment
Most Polls Are Now Closed
Most polling sites across New Hampshire closed at 7 p.m. EST, though some will stay open until 8 p.m.
Donald Trump: ‘So Ridiculous’ Democrats And Independents Can Vote In GOP Primary. They Can’t.
Trump issued an all-caps missive on Truth Social Tuesday, complaining that Democrats and independents can vote in New Hampshire's GOP primary.
They can’t.
New Hampshire is a semi-closed primary state, meaning registered voters are limited to the ballot for their chosen party. Undeclared voters are required to choose which ballot to use when they go vote on Tuesday. Those voters will then become registered to the party they select unless they fill out a separate form declaring they would like to return to “undeclared” status.
The deadline to change party affiliation was October 2023. That said, the New Hampshire secretary of state said 39% of voters were undeclared, 31% registered as Republicans and 30% registered as Democrats.
They can’t.
New Hampshire is a semi-closed primary state, meaning registered voters are limited to the ballot for their chosen party. Undeclared voters are required to choose which ballot to use when they go vote on Tuesday. Those voters will then become registered to the party they select unless they fill out a separate form declaring they would like to return to “undeclared” status.
The deadline to change party affiliation was October 2023. That said, the New Hampshire secretary of state said 39% of voters were undeclared, 31% registered as Republicans and 30% registered as Democrats.
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Dean Phillips Tries To Win Over Supporters Of Bernie Sanders’ Campaigns
Phillips, who’s running a long shot campaign against Biden for the Democratic nomination, made an appeal to supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) 2016 and 2020 campaigns Tuesday.
Axios confirmed that the Phillips campaign recently texted one-time Sanders supporters the following message: "ATTN: Joe Biden DNC attack on NH primary is retribution for NH supporting Bernie. Stand with us against this MAGA-style political vendetta."
In an unprecedented situation for an incumbent president, Biden does not appear on the ballot in New Hampshire, where state officials refused to comply with the Democratic Party’s new primary schedule that moved New Hampshire’s voting to be after South Carolina’s. Biden’s campaign decided to follow the national party's rule and abstain from competing in New Hampshire, where he had a poor showing in 2020.
Sanders, who won the New Hampshire primary in 2016 and 2020, has backed Biden’s campaign.
Axios confirmed that the Phillips campaign recently texted one-time Sanders supporters the following message: "ATTN: Joe Biden DNC attack on NH primary is retribution for NH supporting Bernie. Stand with us against this MAGA-style political vendetta."
In an unprecedented situation for an incumbent president, Biden does not appear on the ballot in New Hampshire, where state officials refused to comply with the Democratic Party’s new primary schedule that moved New Hampshire’s voting to be after South Carolina’s. Biden’s campaign decided to follow the national party's rule and abstain from competing in New Hampshire, where he had a poor showing in 2020.
Sanders, who won the New Hampshire primary in 2016 and 2020, has backed Biden’s campaign.
New Hampshire Exit Polls Show Even Split On Legitimacy Of Joe Biden’s 2020 Victory
The first exit polls conducted by CNN in New Hampshire show an even split in respondents who believe Biden’s 2020 victory was illegitimate or fair and square. Those numbers are quite a bit different than in Iowa, where about two-thirds of respondents in an entrance poll said they believed the election was rigged against Trump.
CNN also found just 32% of voters identified as part of the MAGA movement.
Respondents listed the economy, immigration and foreign policy as their top issues going into the 2024 reelection. Nearly two-thirds said they believed the economy was “not so good” or “poor.”
Read more here:
CNN also found just 32% of voters identified as part of the MAGA movement.
Respondents listed the economy, immigration and foreign policy as their top issues going into the 2024 reelection. Nearly two-thirds said they believed the economy was “not so good” or “poor.”
Read more here:
When Do The Polls Close?
Polls in New Hampshire can't close before 7 p.m. EST. Most polling locations close at that time, but a few are open until 8 p.m. EST., so results will likely be announced after that.
The town of Dixville Notch is an outlier. The town has a tradition of opening its polls at midnight so residents can be the first to cast votes in the presidential primary.
With only six people registered there, polling wrapped up within minutes. All votes went to Haley this year.
The town of Dixville Notch is an outlier. The town has a tradition of opening its polls at midnight so residents can be the first to cast votes in the presidential primary.
With only six people registered there, polling wrapped up within minutes. All votes went to Haley this year.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Donald Trump Says Tim Scott Is ‘Guy That I Look At’ For Potential VP
Trump suggested he is considering South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R) as a potential running mate on Tuesday. The senator was a long-shot candidate in the GOP primary, but dropped out in November and endorsed Trump last week.
“He’s a guy that I look at,” Trump said on “The Howie Carr Show.”
The former president has celebrated Scott's recent engagement at campaign events.
“He’s a guy that I look at,” Trump said on “The Howie Carr Show.”
The former president has celebrated Scott's recent engagement at campaign events.
Associated Press
Protesters Interrupt Biden At Rally In Virginia
Biden is spending New Hampshire primary day speaking at a rally in Virginia. Shortly after he began speaking this evening, he was interrupted by several pro-Palestine protesters.
According to White House pool reports, one man carrying a Palestinian flag shouted "how many kids have you killed?" before the crowd shouted him down with chants of "four more years." Biden began speaking again when a woman interrupted him, shouting "Israel kills two mothers every hour," according to the pool report.
Both protesters were escorted out.
According to White House pool reports, one man carrying a Palestinian flag shouted "how many kids have you killed?" before the crowd shouted him down with chants of "four more years." Biden began speaking again when a woman interrupted him, shouting "Israel kills two mothers every hour," according to the pool report.
Both protesters were escorted out.
Nikki Haley Takes Another Swipe At Donald Trump’s Mental Fitness
Haley once again prodded Trump’s mental fitness in an interview with CNN on Tuesday, saying the country needs younger leaders with more vision for the future.
“Do we really want two 80-year-olds to be our options when we’re talking about president?” she said. “It’s the fact that we need somebody that’s gonna go eight years, ready, fully-focused to do that.”
“You can’t say that when you’re 80 that you’re not in decline,” she added, before referencing a recent Trump misstatement about the Jan. 6 attack. “He was confused about me having something to do with keeping security away from the Capitol. Clearly, he was talking about someone else.”
“Do we really want two 80-year-olds to be our options when we’re talking about president?” she said. “It’s the fact that we need somebody that’s gonna go eight years, ready, fully-focused to do that.”
“You can’t say that when you’re 80 that you’re not in decline,” she added, before referencing a recent Trump misstatement about the Jan. 6 attack. “He was confused about me having something to do with keeping security away from the Capitol. Clearly, he was talking about someone else.”
Voters Rewarded With Stickers Designed By 4th Graders
New Hampshirites who turn out to the polls Tuesday are being handed the usual “I voted” stickers — but with a twist. These ones were designed by fourth graders.
The three winning designs feature Granite State nature themes. Artists Grace, Jacob and Rilynn were also invited to the state House for lunch with New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary of State Erin Hennessey.
The three winning designs feature Granite State nature themes. Artists Grace, Jacob and Rilynn were also invited to the state House for lunch with New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary of State Erin Hennessey.
Eric Trump, Kari Lake On The Ground For Trump
Record Voter Turnout Predicted On Cloudy Primary Day
New Hampshire’s Republican Secretary of State, David Scanlan, is predicting a record primary voter turnout. He told local ABC affiliate WMUR that 322,000 people could be expected to cast ballots. That’s more than 2020 and 2016.
It helps that the weather seems to be cooperating, unlike in Iowa where a deep freeze and snow likely kept some voters home during last week’s caucus. Cloudy skies were predicted across New Hampshire on Tuesday, with light snowfall in some areas as temperatures hovered in the 30s.
It helps that the weather seems to be cooperating, unlike in Iowa where a deep freeze and snow likely kept some voters home during last week’s caucus. Cloudy skies were predicted across New Hampshire on Tuesday, with light snowfall in some areas as temperatures hovered in the 30s.
Tim Scott Looks Ahead To South Carolina
Pro-Israel Group Challenges 'Ceasefire' Write-In Campaign
The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, the super PAC arm of a major pro-Israel group, is trying to prevent New Hampshire’s Secretary of State from tallying the number of ballots in which voters write in the word “ceasefire,” The Forward reported on Monday.
In his letter to Secretary of State David Scanlan, DMFI PAC Chairman Mark Mellman argued that providing a tally of the “ceasefire” write-in ballots is inconsistent with New Hampshire election law, since “ceasefire” is not a person.
“New Hampshire law requires election moderators to examine ballots for ‘write-in votes that are for a person,’” Mellman wrote, quoting state law.
The letter is an attempt to undermine pro-Palestine activists’ grassroots campaign to use the New Hampshire presidential primary to express their support for an end to hostilities in Israel’s war with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. Israel, a recipient of nearly $4 billion in annual U.S. military aid, mounted the invasion following an unprecedented terror attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis. But critics of the war, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 25,000 Palestinians and created a humanitarian crisis for those who have survived, believe that Israel has engaged in war crimes that are punishing the entire Gazan population.
A spokesperson for New Hampshire’s office of the Secretary of State previously told HuffPost that the state would tally the “ceasefire” write-in ballots because they were the product of an organized campaign.
DMFI PAC is also supporting mainstream Democrats’ campaign to get New Hampshire voters to write in President Joe Biden on their ballots. Biden declined to appear on the ballot after New Hampshire went ahead with its first-in-the-nation primary after the Democratic National Committee changed its place on the presidential primary schedule.
In his letter to Secretary of State David Scanlan, DMFI PAC Chairman Mark Mellman argued that providing a tally of the “ceasefire” write-in ballots is inconsistent with New Hampshire election law, since “ceasefire” is not a person.
“New Hampshire law requires election moderators to examine ballots for ‘write-in votes that are for a person,’” Mellman wrote, quoting state law.
The letter is an attempt to undermine pro-Palestine activists’ grassroots campaign to use the New Hampshire presidential primary to express their support for an end to hostilities in Israel’s war with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. Israel, a recipient of nearly $4 billion in annual U.S. military aid, mounted the invasion following an unprecedented terror attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis. But critics of the war, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 25,000 Palestinians and created a humanitarian crisis for those who have survived, believe that Israel has engaged in war crimes that are punishing the entire Gazan population.
A spokesperson for New Hampshire’s office of the Secretary of State previously told HuffPost that the state would tally the “ceasefire” write-in ballots because they were the product of an organized campaign.
DMFI PAC is also supporting mainstream Democrats’ campaign to get New Hampshire voters to write in President Joe Biden on their ballots. Biden declined to appear on the ballot after New Hampshire went ahead with its first-in-the-nation primary after the Democratic National Committee changed its place on the presidential primary schedule.
Ron DeSantis Blames This Group For His Defeat
Days after dropping out of the GOP primary, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said "checked out" voters who have been told Trump's nomination is "inevitable" are to blame for his failed campaign.
“They did not want to see Trump nominated again, but they had basically been told that it was inevitable, that it was over,” DeSantis said on Blaze TV's Steve Deace Show, according to NBC.
Read more at NBC.
“They did not want to see Trump nominated again, but they had basically been told that it was inevitable, that it was over,” DeSantis said on Blaze TV's Steve Deace Show, according to NBC.
Read more at NBC.
Trump Shows Up Polling Place In High School
Trump greeted supporters outside Londonderry High School in Londonderry, New Hampshire, claiming he was surprised to see so many of them at the polling place.
He said Haley would probably endure “a big loss today, but who knows,” adding that he did not want to urge her to drop out of the race.
Pivoting to the migrant situation at the southern U.S. border, Trump claimed that “terrorists” and mentally ill people were streaming across.
“They’re pouring in from mental institutions all over the world,” Trump said of the migrants, who largely hail from Central and South American nations.
He said Haley would probably endure “a big loss today, but who knows,” adding that he did not want to urge her to drop out of the race.
Pivoting to the migrant situation at the southern U.S. border, Trump claimed that “terrorists” and mentally ill people were streaming across.
“They’re pouring in from mental institutions all over the world,” Trump said of the migrants, who largely hail from Central and South American nations.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Questions Nikki Haley's 'Mental Competency For Staying In This Race'
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) took a shot at Haley on Tuesday after the presidential hopeful questioned whether Trump was "mentally fit" to hold office.
In response to a question about Trump's mental health, Greene said she is "actually questioning Nikki Haley's mental competency for staying in this race, when she's going to lose," according to NBC News.
Speaking to supporters in New Hampshire on Saturday, Haley took aim at Trump after he mixed her up with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a campaign event a day prior. "We can’t have someone else that we question whether they’re mentally fit to do this,” Haley said.
On Tuesday, Greene lauded Trump's "energy," arguing that "he wears out everyone around him who plays golf almost every single day."
In response to a question about Trump's mental health, Greene said she is "actually questioning Nikki Haley's mental competency for staying in this race, when she's going to lose," according to NBC News.
Speaking to supporters in New Hampshire on Saturday, Haley took aim at Trump after he mixed her up with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a campaign event a day prior. "We can’t have someone else that we question whether they’re mentally fit to do this,” Haley said.
On Tuesday, Greene lauded Trump's "energy," arguing that "he wears out everyone around him who plays golf almost every single day."
Nikki Haley’s Campaign Remains Defiant
The Haley campaign released a memo Tuesday accusing “the political class and the media” of understating her odds of cinching the Republican nomination.
“They say the race is over. They want to throw up their hands, after only 110,000 people have voted in a caucus in Iowa and say, well, I guess it’s Trump. That’s not how this works,” read the memo, first released to The New York Times.
The three-page document argues that voters want an alternative to Trump and Biden, and emphasized how Haley has already outlasted all of her competitors (aside from Trump).
“While members of Congress, the press, and many of the weak-kneed fellas who ran for president are giving up and giving in — we aren’t going anywhere," it read.
Polling data shows Trump leading Haley by a wide margin; one poll released Sunday put Trump ahead by 19 points in New Hampshire.
“They say the race is over. They want to throw up their hands, after only 110,000 people have voted in a caucus in Iowa and say, well, I guess it’s Trump. That’s not how this works,” read the memo, first released to The New York Times.
The three-page document argues that voters want an alternative to Trump and Biden, and emphasized how Haley has already outlasted all of her competitors (aside from Trump).
“While members of Congress, the press, and many of the weak-kneed fellas who ran for president are giving up and giving in — we aren’t going anywhere," it read.
Polling data shows Trump leading Haley by a wide margin; one poll released Sunday put Trump ahead by 19 points in New Hampshire.
Haley Hoping For Independent Voters' Support
After nearly a full year on the campaign trail, Nikki Haley’s presidential hopes on Tuesday will be in the hands of New Hampshirites like Adam O’Kane and Susan DeMarco.
O’Kane is a 34-year-old small business owner and app developer from nearby Stratham. DeMarco is a 70-year-old retiree from Hampton.
Both are “undeclared” voters, belonging to neither party and, under New Hampshire election rules, are therefore eligible to cast a ballot in either presidential primary.
Read more here.
O’Kane is a 34-year-old small business owner and app developer from nearby Stratham. DeMarco is a 70-year-old retiree from Hampton.
Both are “undeclared” voters, belonging to neither party and, under New Hampshire election rules, are therefore eligible to cast a ballot in either presidential primary.
Read more here.
Why Biden’s Name Isn’t On The Ballot
In a nutshell, the Democratic National Committee is fighting with the New Hampshire Democratic Party.
New Hampshire has a law stating that it must be the first primary in the nation, and for years both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party obliged. (Iowa has a caucus, not a primary, although they serve the same function.) But the Democrats decided to change things up last year, opting to give South Carolina the honor of having the first Democratic presidential primary, thus increasing the racial diversity of the earliest voting states.
New Hampshire went ahead with its election plans anyway. In a scathing letter sent earlier this month, DNC officials told NHDP officials their primary was “meaningless” and stood to confuse voters.
“[P]residential candidates should take all steps possible not to participate,” the letter said.
The office of New Hampshire's Republican attorney general responded, accusing the DNC of voter suppression.
Biden sided with the national party. He also does not appear to put much stock in the state — in the 2020 election, he fared so poorly there that he did not even stick around to see the results.
Biden’s Democratic challengers’ names appear on the ballot, but New Hampshirites who hope to support the president will have to vote for him as a write-in candidate.
New Hampshire has a law stating that it must be the first primary in the nation, and for years both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party obliged. (Iowa has a caucus, not a primary, although they serve the same function.) But the Democrats decided to change things up last year, opting to give South Carolina the honor of having the first Democratic presidential primary, thus increasing the racial diversity of the earliest voting states.
New Hampshire went ahead with its election plans anyway. In a scathing letter sent earlier this month, DNC officials told NHDP officials their primary was “meaningless” and stood to confuse voters.
“[P]residential candidates should take all steps possible not to participate,” the letter said.
The office of New Hampshire's Republican attorney general responded, accusing the DNC of voter suppression.
Biden sided with the national party. He also does not appear to put much stock in the state — in the 2020 election, he fared so poorly there that he did not even stick around to see the results.
Biden’s Democratic challengers’ names appear on the ballot, but New Hampshirites who hope to support the president will have to vote for him as a write-in candidate.
Associated Press
Voters Were Ready To Go
Voters lined up before the polls opened in Windham.
NH Attorney General Probing Robocall With Fake Joe Biden Voice
The New Hampshire attorney general’s office is investigating an apparent mass robocall that used a fake Biden voice to urge New Hampshire Democrats not to vote for the president in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in the state.
The First Votes Are Already In
Dixville Notch, a tiny town of six registered voters, unanimously chose former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as the state’s primary process began at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday.
The tally was six votes for Haley.
Read more here.
The tally was six votes for Haley.
Read more here.
Trump Looks Ahead
Confident in his lead over former Haley, Trump looked ahead to the general election in his final campaign rally on Monday night before the New Hampshire primary.
Read more here.
Read more here.