Title: President Biden Excluded from New Hampshire Primary Ballot, Focused on General Election Campaign
Subtitle: New Hampshire Democrats Disappointed as South Carolina Takes the Lead in Primary Calendar
By Ed O’Keefe
Washington, D.C. – In an unprecedented move, President Joe Biden will not be appearing on the primary ballot of his own party in New Hampshire early next year, making him the first sitting president in history to be excluded.
The announcement was made by the president’s reelection campaign in a letter obtained by CBS News, in which Biden’s team explained that he is obligated to comply with the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. These rules, set in motion earlier this year, have pushed New Hampshire further back in the primary calendar. Despite state law requiring New Hampshire to host the nation’s first primaries, the Democratic National Committee’s decision was not in agreement with the state Democrats, who were unable to convince state legislators to reverse the Granite State statute.
While potential Biden primary challengers, including Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, have time to file for the primary, the Biden campaign doesn’t seem concerned about any potential competition. Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez assured New Hampshire Democrats that the president looks forward to being the Democratic nominee on New Hampshire’s general election ballot after securing the nomination at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
New Hampshire state Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley expressed confidence in Biden’s popularity among voters, tweeting, “The reality is that Joe Biden will win the NH FITN (First in the Nation) Primary in January, win renomination in Chicago, and will be re-elected next November. NH voters know and trust Joe Biden, that’s why he is leading Trump in NH by double digits.”
The exclusion of President Biden from the primary ballot in New Hampshire has raised concerns and disappointment among some Democrats in the state. However, the decision highlights the importance of the general election campaign in New Hampshire, where Biden’s campaign plans to tirelessly campaign to earn every single vote.
As the primary season approaches, Republican presidential contenders have been traveling to the State Capitol to file in person and submit the necessary filing fees. Meanwhile, President Biden’s team remains focused on securing the party’s nomination and preparing for the general election battle that lies ahead.
The exclusion of President Biden from the New Hampshire primary ballot brings a unique twist to the presidential campaign, setting the stage for an exciting and closely contested general election in November.
Jacob Rosen contributed to this report.
About the Author:
Ed O’Keefe is a senior White House and political correspondent for CBS News based in Washington, D.C.
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