President Joe Biden has decided not to file for New Hampshire’s Democratic primary, emphasizing his commitment to adhere to the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) delegate selection rules. The announcement was made through a letter from Biden’s campaign manager to the state party, as reported by CNN.
The decision stems from a DNC-approved plan, backed by Biden earlier this year, which designates South Carolina, not New Hampshire, as the inaugural state to conduct a sanctioned Democratic primary. Despite the absence of a set date for New Hampshire’s primary, Secretary of State David Scanlan has declared the state’s intention to maintain its status as the first-in-the-nation primary. However, this decision puts New Hampshire at odds with the revised DNC calendar, potentially resulting in the loss of party delegates to the national convention next summer.
Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez conveyed Biden’s desire to participate in the Granite State primary in a letter addressed to New Hampshire Democratic Chairman Ray Buckley. However, Rodriguez emphasized the president’s commitment to complying with the national party rules, making it impermissible for Biden to campaign early in New Hampshire or even have his name on the ballot. Voters, however, retain the option to write him in.
“The president is incredibly grateful for the support that Granite Staters have shown him both as a candidate for office and as president of the United States,” Rodriguez wrote.
Responding to the news, Buckley issued a statement on Tuesday affirming his belief that despite Biden’s absence from the primary, he would secure victory in the New Hampshire First-in-the-Nation Primary in January, secure renomination in Chicago, and ultimately be re-elected next November. “New Hampshire voters know and trust Joe Biden,” Buckley added.
Meanwhile, the New Hampshire Republican Party, in response to the decision, asserted, “Joe Biden doesn’t care about the granite state, our traditions, or our voters.”
