LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – All eyes are on New Hampshire for the first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday.
It’s an unusual primary with only two front runners on the republican ballot, after Flordia Governor Ron DeSantis suspended his campaign earlier this week, leaving former president Donald Trump and Nikki Haley.
The race has changed dramatically in just a week. Donald Trump has led in the polls in New Hampshire and nationally. He won last week’s Iowa caucuses with 51% of the vote.
In New Hampshire, the undeclared voter is the largest block, and political experts say independents could boost Haley today.
WCAX checked in with voters Monday about their thoughts about how it’s shaking out.
“These things always go in cycles so for those who want to say that this is a defining moment for the republican party, I don’t see it being a long-term thing,” said Dale Spaulding, an undeclared voter from Alexandria N.H.
“They are all very special, they really are. It gives us the opportunity to go out and see the candidates and get an idea about what they are all about,” said Brad Marshall, a Republican from Boscawen, N.H.
In an exclusive interview with WCAX on Monday, Haley said her party is ready to move past Trump. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu says Haley can grow the GOP.
“I think this race is just a huge opportunity for New Hampshire. Allow America to look and say here’s an option, here’s the alternative,” said Gov. Sununu.
Both he and Vermont Governor Phil Scott have endorsed Haley who appears to be popular among moderate Republicans while Trump appears to be popular among conservative Republicans.
The New Hampshire Republican primary is taking the spotlight but the democratic election is also making headlines for who won’t be on the ballot.
Because of a technicality in the Democratic National Committee calendar, Joe Biden will not be on the ballot in the granite state. Instead, the first election recognized by the DNC will be in South Carolina in early February.
A write-in campaign is underway for the president in the state. Democratic candidates who will be on the ballot Tuesday including Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson.
Polls open here in New Hampshire at 7.
