Abstract
In this brief, authors David Moore and Andrew Smith describe the origin of the New Hampshire presidential primary and the Iowa presidential caucuses. The developments by which these two small states came to hold the first nominating contests every four years were accidental, generated by a variety of events not at all intended to educate future leaders and certainly not adopted with any expectation that these states would emerge with the enormous influence that comes with being first. But once Iowa and New Hampshire were first, and once they realized the extensive benefits the position brought to them, their leaders fought tenaciously to hold on to their advantage.
Department
Carsey School of Public Policy
Publication Date
Winter 12-23-2019
Series
Perspectives Brief
Publisher
Durham, N.H. : Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Moore, David W. and Smith, Andrew, "The First Primary: Why New Hampshire?" (2019). Carsey School of Public Policy. 384.
https://scholars.unh.edu/carsey/384
Rights
Copyright 2019. Carsey School of Public Policy. These materials may be used for the purposes of research, teaching, and private study. For all other uses, contact the copyright holder.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.34051/p/2020.372