President Joe Biden won New Hampshire’s largely symbolic Democratic primary on Tuesday, prevailing in an unusual write-in effort after he refused to campaign or appear on the state ballot. Biden easily bested two longshot challengers, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, who were on the ballot along with a host of little-known names. His victory in a race he was not formally contesting essentially cements the president’s grasp on the Democratic nomination for a second term.
Quick Read
- Biden’s Symbolic Victory: President Joe Biden won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire through a write-in campaign, despite not formally contesting the race and not appearing on the ballot.
- Overcoming Challengers: Biden triumphed over two notable challengers, Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, along with other lesser-known candidates.
- Significance of the Win: Biden’s victory, although largely symbolic, strengthens his hold on the Democratic nomination for a second term, indicating strong support within the party.
- Primary Calendar Controversy: The New Hampshire primary’s results are unlikely to contribute to delegate counts due to the state’s decision to go against the Democratic Party’s revised primary schedule, which prioritized South Carolina as the first primary state.
- Biden’s Role in Calendar Change: The change in the Democratic primary calendar, advocated by Biden, aimed to give Black Democrats and other voters of color an earlier and more significant role in the nomination process.
- Contrast with 2020 Primary Results: Biden’s win in New Hampshire contrasts with his performance in the state in 2020, where he faced a significant loss. His campaign was later revitalized by a victory in South Carolina.
- DNC’s Stance on Delegate Allocation: The Democratic National Committee has stated that the New Hampshire primary will not allocate delegates due to the state’s non-compliance with the new primary schedule.
- Write-In Campaign Efforts: Despite Biden’s lack of participation, his allies and a super PAC mobilized hundreds of volunteers to encourage New Hampshire Democrats to write in Biden’s name.
- Overshadowed by Republican Primary: The Democratic primary in New Hampshire was largely overshadowed by the Republican primary, where Donald Trump secured another victory, further solidifying his control over the Republican nomination.
- Open Primary System: New Hampshire’s primary system allows unaffiliated voters to participate in either party’s primary, adding a unique dynamic to the electoral process in the state.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden wins New Hampshire Primary through a write-in effort after declining to campaign there
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden won New Hampshire’s largely symbolic Democratic primary on Tuesday, prevailing in an unusual write-in effort after he refused to campaign or appear on the state ballot.
Biden easily bested two longshot challengers, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, who were on the ballot along with a host of little-known names. His victory in a race he was not formally contesting essentially cements the president’s grasp on the Democratic nomination for a second term.
The New Hampshire race will likely not count toward amassing delegates for the presidential nomination after Democrats in the state bucked a Biden-championed revamp of the primary calendar that placed South Carolina at the fore of the Democratic race for the White House.
Biden championed changing Democratic Party rules to put South Carolina first on Feb. 3, arguing that Black Democrats, the party’s most reliable base of support, and other voters of color needed to play a larger, earlier role in the primary. But Biden also won South Carolina’s primary in 2020, reviving his campaign after a blowout loss in New Hampshire, whose electorate is whiter and older than the rest of the nation.
New Hampshire Democrats rebelled against the new plan and pushed ahead with a primary on Tuesday, alongside the state’s Republicans. The Democratic National Committee has said that the contest won’t award delegates that ultimately select the nominee as a result of the rules violation.
Biden shunned the primary as a result, but his allies organized hundreds of volunteers — and got help from a super PAC — to spread the word that New Hampshire Democrats could still write in his name.
The contest was overshadowed by the Republican primary, where President Donald Trump followed up his win last week in Iowa with another victory to prove that he has seized control of his party’s nomination over his last remaining challenger, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley.
New Hampshire allows unaffiliated voters to participate in either party’s primary.
