New Hampshire defiantly announced Jan. 23 as the date for its presidential primary, setting up the second GOP contest in 2024. This move defies President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee’s plans to give South Carolina the party’s first primary contest. The announcement triggered a conflict between New Hampshire and national Democrats, ultimately resulting in President Joe Biden’s name being omitted from the primary ballot in New Hampshire.
Despite facing potential punishment from the DNC for not adhering to the party’s new order, which was recommended by Biden, New Hampshire insists on preserving its position as the first on the primary calendar. New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan emphasized that the choice of Jan. 23 complies with the state statute, requiring the primary to be at least seven days before any similar event, and preserves the traditional Iowa caucus. The official date clarifies the road to the GOP nomination for the candidates, as the Iowa caucuses will take place on Jan. 15, followed by the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 8 and South Carolina’s primary on Feb. 24.
The defiance by New Hampshire represents the latest confrontation with national Democrats challenging its status as the first primary. Both New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and Scanlan affirmed their commitment to preserving the state’s longstanding role in the presidential nominating process, expressing confidence that New Hampshire will continue to hold the first primary and emphasizing the state’s unique attributes that make it an ideal venue for the initial presidential contest.
