Election News

While the focus will be on the state's presidential primary Tuesday, some New Hampshire residents will also be able to weigh in on vacancies in the State House.

There is also a special election in Connecticut.

New Hampshire State House

Continuing a tradition that dates to 1960, the residents of Dixville Notch, a small community in the northern part of New Hampshire, will cast the nation's first presidential primary votes at midnight (Eastern Time).

There are six registered voters, four Republicans and two independents, the latter of whom can vote in either party primary. Once all six of the votes are cast, the polling place is allowed to close and report its results. This should happen fairly quickly after midnight.

Results will appear below once available.

North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he will not seek a third term this year. 

Today we announced that we will not seek a third term as governor.

Serving as governor and first lady of North Dakota has been one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences of our lives. We are eternally grateful to the citizens for giving us this opportunity. pic.twitter.com/6vOv0Lqgey

— Gov. Doug Burgum (@GovDougBurgum) January 22, 2024

The move comes about six weeks after Burgum dropped his unsuccessful effort to win the Republican presidential nomination. 

While no specific reason was cited, Burgum was supportive of a term limits initiative approved by voters in 2022 that will limit future governors to two terms in a lifetime.

2024 Gubernatorial Elections

Florida Gov. RonDeSantis dropped his bid for president on Sunday, leaving just one prominent Republican challenger to former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis made his announcement via video posted to X, formerly Twitter, the same platform where his campaign had a glitch-filled rollout last May. 

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

- Winston Churchill pic.twitter.com/ECoR8YeiMm

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 21, 2024

DeSantis endorsed Trump in the video, while saying that Nikki Haley represents a "warmed over corporatism" that the GOP cannot return to.

Haley, the former South Carolina Governor, is now the only major candidate standing between Trump and his third consecutive Republican nomination.

New Hampshire Primary

Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03) announced his retirement today. This brings to 41 the number of current members retiring, resigning, or seeking another office this year. 

There is one special election on Tuesday. It is for a battleground district in the Florida House. Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

Florida State House District 35

Republicans hold a commanding 84-35 majority in the Florida House of Representatives. There is one vacancy to be filled via this special election. Members serve two-year terms; the next elections are in November.

Recapping the Iowa caucuses, with a look ahead to New Hampshire.

Trump Wins Easily, as Expected

As he eyes a third consecutive GOP nomination and a return to the White House, Donald Trump had little trouble winning the first contest of the 2024 presidential election

As has been the case since 1972, the 2024 presidential calendar kicks off with the Iowa caucuses on Monday evening. In a shift from prior cycles, only Republicans will hold a presidential preference vote.

Republican Party

Live Results

Republicans will caucus beginning at 7:00 PM Central Time Monday. The Iowa GOP runs the caucuses, which encompass 1,657 precincts.  First results, from smaller precincts, may be available within the first hour, with the whole process playing out over several hours. 

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is suspending his bid for the 2024 Republican nomination. He made the announcement at a town hall in Windham, New Hampshire on Wednesday afternoon.

Christie said he didn't see a path to the nomination, and spent much of his talk railing against Donald Trump and the current state of the Republican party.

We are inside one week to the Iowa caucuses, to be held next Monday. While both parties will caucus, only Republicans will make their voices heard with regards to the presidential election. Democrats will conduct other business, with a separate presidential preference vote held by mail in the weeks ahead. Those results will be available Super Tuesday, March 5. 

Before we get there, however, there are a few state legislative special elections Tuesday. Polls in Virginia and Alabama close at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM Eastern Time, respectively.

Virginia State Senate District 9