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Unit 16: The New Hampshire Primary
Find It! The New Hampshire Primary

Find It! The New Hampshire Primary

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All the resources that appear in this unit are gathered here for you—the photographs, maps, objects, audiovisuals, documents, videos, biographies, and vocabulary words. Click on the image below to see a larger view of each resource with more information about each one. On some of the resources you can even zoom in and get a closer look. So go ahead, dive in, and explore. Before you know it, you’ll be thinking like a historian.

Find It! Scavenger Hunt

Can you help Mason find these items on the page and answer the questions?

Scavenger Hunt

Click On An Icon To Find A Resource!

Audiovisuals in this Unit:

Mason Presents: Bill Clinton, the "Comeback Kid"

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Audiovisual

Mason Presents: Bill Clinton, the "Comeback Kid"

1992

Caption:

In 1992, Bill Clinton wanted to be the Democratic nominee for president, but his campaign had a lot of problems. How did the New Hampshire primary impact his campaign?

Image Credit: Courtesy of the New Hampshire Political Library

Mason Presents: Eisenhower Enters the New Hampshire Primary

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Audiovisual

Mason Presents: Eisenhower Enters the New Hampshire Primary

1952

Excerpts from "The News Magazine of the Screen," produced by Warner Pathe News

Caption:

Dwight Eisenhower wasn't planning on running for president in 1952, but he was entered into the New Hampshire primary anyway.

Image Credit: Courtesy of the Prelinger Archive

Mason Presents: Eisenhower for President

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Audiovisual

Mason Presents: Eisenhower for President

1952

Produced by Roy Disney and Citizens for Eisenhower

Caption:

Politicians like to use catchy songs and fun commercials to get people’s attention. Watch this cartoon commercial from 1952 to see how Dwight Eisenhower tried to convince everyone to vote for him!

Image Credit: Courtesy of the Prelinger Archive

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Audiovisual

Mason Presents: The 1952 Primary

Fritz Wetherbee

Caption:

Hear all about how the 1952 primary started it all!

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Mason Presents: The First New Hampshire Primary

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Audiovisual

Mason Presents: The First New Hampshire Primary

1952

Universal Pictures Co.

Caption:

The first modern primary in the United States took place in 1952, and New Hampshire’s primary was first! Watch this newsreel from 1952 to see how candidates campaigned and who won the state.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society, "New Hampshire: A Proven Primary Tradition"

Biographies in this Unit:

A man in suit stands at a podium. His grey hair is balding and he wears glasses. He seems to be speaking, and is looking to his left almost directly at the viewer. There is a microphone on the podium and some papers. Next to the man is an American flag, and behind him, a painting of a scene from colonial days.

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Biography

Bill Gardner

1948–Present

Caption:

Bill Gardner became the New Hampshire secretary of state in 1976. He retired in 2022 and was the longest-serving secretary of state in American history. The secretary of state's job is to run all of the elections in New Hampshire. They also make sure that everyone follows the election laws. Gardner believed that the New Hampshire primary is a really important tradition. For almost 50 years, he picked the date for the New Hampshire primary. He always made sure it was the first one!

Image Credit: Courtesy of Allegra Boverman for New Hampshire Public Radio

In this photograph, an older man with glasses and a suit and tie puts a ballot into a ballot box. The box with town seal reads "TOWN OF / DIXVILLE." Above the box in the black and white photograph is a sign reading "DIXVILLE NOTCH / NEW HAMPSHIRE / 'First in the Nation.'"

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Biography

Neil Tillotson

1898–2001

Caption:

Neil Tillotson was a successful businessman. In 1954, he bought the Balsams, a big hotel in the town of Dixville Notch. The nearest voting place was over 50 miles away, so Tillotson worked to have the Balsams named as the voting place for Dixville Notch. He helped make famous the tradition of voting at midnight by inviting the media to the Balsams to witness the midnight vote. Dixville Notch was so small, with only about a dozen voters, that town officials counted the vote right after everyone voted at midnight. And as the town speaker, Tillotson himself always voted first! Then he would announce the election results to all the reporters gathered there who would broadcast the results to the whole country. How would it feel to have all those cameras watching you vote every four years?

Image Credit: Photo by UPI, New Hampshire Historical Society

A white middle-aged man sits at a wooden desk with a corded phone in one hand and papers in the other in this color photograph. He looks off to the side. A United States flag and a New Hampshire state flag are standing on either side of him.

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Biography

Sherman Adams

1899–1986

Caption:

Sherman Adams was the governor of New Hampshire during the 1952 primary. He was a friend of General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower. He helped Ike win the New Hampshire primary that year on the Republican side. Then he traveled all over the country to help Ike win primaries in other states. After Ike became the president, Sherman Adams went to Washington, D.C. to work for him. Adams was the first “Chief of Staff” in the White House, which is the president’s top assistant. He organized all the people who worked for the president. What do you think that job was like?

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Documents in this Unit:

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Document

1944 Republican Primary Ballot

1944

Caption:

This ballot was used in the primary election in Albany, NH, in 1944. Notice that although voters are voting in the presidential primary, there are no spaces or names to show which candidate a voter supports. Primary voters in 1944 could only vote for delegates, who would then vote for candidates.

Image Credit: Courtesy the New Hampshire State Archives

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Document

1952 Republican Primary Ballot

1952

Caption:

The 1952 primary was the first time in New Hampshire that primary ballots had the candidates' names on them. Before then, the ballots had only the delegates' names on them. A law was passed in 1949 that required that candidates' names also be printed on the ballot. This ballot was used in Concord, NH.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

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Document

1952 Republican Primary Ballot (Detail)

1952

Caption:

The 1952 primary was the first time in New Hampshire that primary ballots had the candidates' names on them. This ballot was used in Concord.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A rectangular black and white ticket for an event is seen. In part it reads, “Sunday, December 9, 2007/ RALLY IN MANCHESTER WITH/ BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA/ AND SPECIAL GUEST/ MS. OPRAH WINFREY.” On the left is a hollow circle with lines striping the bottom, under which it says “Obama ’08.”

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Document

Obama Rally Admission Ticket

2007

Obama for America

Caption:

This is a ticket for a rally to support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama during the 2008 primary campaign. The rally was held at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey also appeared at the rally.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Explainer Videos and Virtual Field Trips in this Unit:

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Video

Mason Explains: How a Primary Works

2019

Maps & Charts in this Unit:

A large rectangular chart with a total of 11 square and rectangular boxes inside of varying sizes, containing a mixture of words and numbers. The chart is on a blue background, and all of the text is in white ink. The largest box rests on the top of the other boxes. The text inside this box reads "Voting Results from the/1952 New Hampshire Primary."

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Maps & Charts

1952 Primary Results

1952

Caption:

This chart shows the results of the 1952 New Hampshire primary for candidates in the Democratic and Republican parties.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A large rectangular chart with a total of 7 square and rectangular boxes inside of varying sizes, containing a mixture of words and numbers. The chart is on a blue background, and all of the text is in white ink. The largest box rests on the top of the other boxes. The text inside this box reads "2019 NH Voter/Registration."

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Maps & Charts

New Hampshire Voter Registration

2019

Caption:

Many voters in New Hampshire are neither Democrats nor Republicans. Instead, they are called “undeclared” voters because they haven’t declared themselves to be in either major political party. New Hampshire has more undeclared voters than most states.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Presidential Election Voter Participation

A graph that shows two staggered lines. The top line is blue and the bottom line is orange. The title of the graph reads: “Presidential Election Voter Participation.” Along the horizontal border of the graph, is a list of years, with the title “Presidential Election Years” and “NH Voter Turnout” next to a blue line and “U.S. Voter Turnout” next to an orange line. Along the vertical border of the graph is a list of percentages and the title “Percentages of People Who Voted.”

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Maps & Charts

Presidential Election Voter Participation

1952–2016

Data from the New Hampshire Secretary of State

Caption:

This graph compares the number of Granite Staters who voted in presidential elections since 1952 with the number of people who voted in the entire United States. The percentages are the percent of people who actually voted out of the total number of people who were old enough to vote in each presidential election year. What can you learn from the graph about voter participation in New Hampshire?

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Objects in this Unit:

Commemorative wooden egg, imprinted in green, "Presidential Primary / NH 2008 / Politics and Eggs", with image of White House in eggshell. Birch or maple. Glossy clear finish. Flat base, 0.85" diam., to allow it to stand.

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Objects

“Politics and Eggs” Wooden Egg

2008

Kemp Enterprises, Inc.

Caption:

Since 1995, the "Politics and Eggs" program has invited presidential candidates to visit New Hampshire and talk with local business leaders and other Granite Staters over breakfast. People who attend "Politics and Eggs" receive one of these wooden eggs as a keepsake. This egg is from 2006.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A circular button that is divided horizontally by color. The top half is blue and is lined with white stars on the sides. Along the top border of the button is the word “VICTORY.” The bottom half of the button is striped with red and white vertical lines. In the center of the button are two colored photographs of two men. Underneath the man on the left is the word “GORE” in black text on a gold ribbon. Underneath the man on the right is the word “LIEBERMAN” in black text on a gold ribbon. Beneath both photographs is an eagle and the text “2000” in white text.

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Objects

Al Gore Campaign Button

2000

Tigereye Design, Inc.

Caption:

In 2000, Al Gore ran for president and Joe Lieberman for vice president. This button has many symbols to persuade voters to vote for them.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Rectangular, wooden ballot box with handle at one end. There is a sliding wooden lid with slit for ballots. Next to it are ballots from primaries in 1922 and 1960.

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Objects

Ballot Box

circa 1850

Caption:

This ballot box was used in Hart's Location from 1850 until the 1980s. Once all ballots are inside, the top slides off so someone can count the results. The ballots next to the box are from 1922 and 1960. Hart's Location has a long tradition of midnight voting, which continues to this day.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Circular metal button shows head and shoulders of Bill Clinton. Green lettering along the top and right side reads "BILL CLINTON / THE / CHOICE / OF / NEW / HAMPSHIRE / PRESIDENT / '92."

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Objects

Bill Clinton Campaign Button

1992

Caption:

This button is from Bill Clinton's successful primary campaign in 1992. It is a little unusual because it uses green instead of patriotic colors.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A large red rectangle with white borders has white type reading "Huntsman President 2012." In the white border at the bottom is "JonHuntsman.com" in black and "Made in New Hampshire" in red. "Paid for by Jon Huntsman for President" is printed in red to the right.

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Objects

Campaign Yard Sign

2012

Caption:

Yard sign from Jon Huntsman's campaign during the 2012 New Hampshire primary.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Circular lenticular plastic-over-metal button, ribbed plastic on top. When held one way, see black lettering: "WIN / WITH / IKE". When held another way, see a head and shoulders image of Eisenhower.

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Objects

Eisenhower Campaign Button

circa 1952–1956

Pictorial Productions, Inc.

Caption:

This campaign button for Dwight Eisenhower, or "Ike," has special printing technology which allows two images to be on top of each other and be seen one at a time, depending upon the view.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Circular metal button shows photo of George Bush with raised arm. Blue circle on right with white lettering, "1988," and white donkey and elephant in red circle within blue.

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Objects

George H. W. Bush Campaign Button

1988

Caption:

This button from George H.W. Bush's successful 1988 primary campaign has political party symbols on it.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A white circular button. On the right side of the button is the state of New Hampshire in blue. In red text are the words “603/FOR” and in black text is the word “/Hillary”. Beneath the text is a flag with three white stars on a blue background connected to a red and white striped banner.

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Objects

Hillary Clinton Campaign Button

2016

Caption:

This button is from Hillary Clinton's campaign for president in 2016.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A rectangular piece of paper approximately 12 inches long has a circular opening for hanging on door knobs. "Granite Staters for Hillary" is printed in blue on white background. A letter H with an arrow for the crossbar has an image of a woman speaking to a crowd within it. Below text reads "Primary Election Day is Tuesday, February 9th. Your polling location is: Webster School 6AM-7PM 2519 Elm St. Manchester, NH 03104. If you have any questions or conerns about voting call the Hillary for New Hampshire Voter Protection Hotline: 603-782-0005."

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Objects

Hillary Clinton Campaign Door Hanger

2016

Caption:

Workers and volunteers from Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential primary campaign left this door hanger on houses all across New Hampshire.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A circular button with a sketch of a man facing to the left in the middle of a white circle. Surrounding the white circle is a red semi-circle along the upper half of the button and a blue semi-circle on the lower half. On the red semi-circle are the words “KENNEDY” in thick white text. On the blue semi-circle are the words “FOR PRESIDENT” in thinner white text.

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Objects

John F. Kennedy Campaign Button

1960

Green Duck Company

Caption:

This button is from John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1960. Red, white, and blue colors are often used to show patriotism.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A round metal button 3 inches in diameter has a white background with black graphics and text. The text reads "I walked with Lamar Alexander on his way to the White House…" Behind the text is an outline of New Hampshire with three starbursts marking three locations on the map. Small footprints connect the starbursts beginning at one labeled "Capitol City Diner July 6, 1995," heading south to the second starburst near the border with Massachusetts and then east to toward the coast. Text along the bottom of the button reads "From Concord to Nashua to the Sea."

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Objects

Lamar Alexander Campaign Button

1995

Caption:

This campaign button is from Lamar Alexander's primary campaign for the 1996 presidential election. As part of his campaign, Alexander walked across the state, spending the night with local people. He didn't walk all at once, though—he did it a little at a time between June and February.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Circular political button, blue and green on white, reads "New / HAMPSHIRE / 'ALWAYS FIRST, / ALWAYS RIGHT'"

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Objects

NH: Always First, Always Right Button

circa 1970–1980

Caption:

This political button refers to New Hampshire's tradition of always holding the first-in-the-nation primary, and its pride in doing so. Not only does New Hampshire vote first, it often predicts the eventual winner.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A circular button with a man facing forward. He is wearing round glasses, a suit jacket, and a bow tie. Along the upper rim of the button is a blue line with white stars and along the bottom rim are alternating red and white vertical stripes. The words "HARRY S. TRUMAN" are placed along the bottom rim and curve along with the edges of the button.

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Objects

Political Button for Harry Truman

1949

Caption:

This is a campaign button for Harry Truman. He was president of the United States during the 1952 primary. He was going to run for a second term as president, but dropped out of the race after he did not win the New Hampshire primary that year.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Circular metal Rock the Vote pin, black letters on white background with large red check mark forming the "V" in vote.

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Objects

Rock the Vote Button

2000

Caption:

"Rock the Vote" was a campaign started in 1990 to increase the political power of younger people. This particular button was trying to get young people to register to vote and to vote on Election Day.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Photographs & Prints in this Unit:

A photograph of a selection of more than 30 campaign buttons lie on part of an American flag. Buttons show faces, names, and slogans.

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Photograph/Print

Campaign Buttons, 1952–2000

1952–2000

Caption:

These political campaign buttons represent years of candidates traveling through the Granite State to win the "first-in-the-nation" primary.

Image Credit: From the collections of the New Hampshire Political Library and the New Hampshire Historical Society. Photograph by Bill Finney.

In a photograph of a street scene a man in an overcoat and hat stands near an open doorway on a sidewalk, holding a microphone and speaking to a crowd of people gathered around him. People wear raincoats, women are wearing hats or scarves over their heads, and men are wearing hats. A car parked at the curb has loudspeakers on its roof and a sign reading "Ike" taped to the trunk.

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Photograph/Print

Campaign Event in 1952

circa 1951–1952

Whitman Levensaler

Caption:

Republican candidate Robert A. Taft speaks to a crowd in New Hampshire during his 1952 primary campaign. A car with a sign supporting his opponent, Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower, appears in the foreground.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

In a black and white photograph, a man stands speaking before a podium and a seated crowd. Behind him is partially visible a hanging banner which has two hands clasping and two rainbows.

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Photograph/Print

Campaign Speech

1984

Caption:

Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson gives a speech at a hotel in Concord, NH, during the 1984 primary. He campaigned with a "Rainbow Coalition" which wanted to help disadvantaged Americans. Jackson was the second African American to run for president.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

In a photograph two men sit facing each other over a checkerboard. The man on the left is wearing a buttondown shirt and tie. The man on the right has a short sleeve buttondown shirt, tie and a white apron.The checkerboard sits on a barrel in front of a wood-burning stove. Shelves with canned and dry goods appear in the background.

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Photograph/Print

Campaign Stop at Robie's Country Store

1987

UPI

Caption:

Republican presidential primary candidate Jack Kemp talks with Lloyd Robie over a game of checkers. Robie was the owner of Robie's Country Store in Hooksett, NH, a popular campaign stop for primary candidates for several decades.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

In a photograph a man in a jacket and jeans stands on steps leading up to the front porch of a house. He speaks to a man and woman, and she holds a pamphlet with a picture of him on it. Part of an American flag is visible hanging just next to the group. Snow covers the ground and the bushes and trees are bare.

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Photograph/Print

Campaigning Door-to-Door

circa 2000

Caption:

Vice President Al Gore campaigns door to door in New Hampshire, talking to voters at their homes during his primary campaign for the 2000 presidential election.

Image Credit: Courtesy of the New Hampshire Political Library

A black and white photograph of a man standing a microphone to the right and a group of people seated behind him. Someone holds up a large poster with a picture of the man speaking on it. Behind the group are tall brick buildings and houses.

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Photograph/Print

Eisenhower Campaigning in Manchester

1952

Whitman Levensaler

Caption:

After Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower won the 1952 New Hampshire primary without even campaigning, he decided to officially run for president. He traveled to New Hampshire in October, just a few weeks before the general election, to give a speech in Manchester. In this photo, New Hampshire's governor Sherman Adams is sitting behind him.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A black and white photograph of a group of men and women, waving at the camera. They stand and sit behind a dogsled, which has three large dogs attached to it. Many of the people hold up snow shoes, and one person holds up a large sign that says "NEW HAMPSHIRE/LIKES/IKE."

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Photograph/Print

Eisenhower Rally

1952

Caption:

A lot of people all over the country wanted "Ike" Eisenhower to run for president in 1952. These Granite Staters are on their way to an Eisenhower rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City in February 1952. Even though Eisenhower was not an official candidate and did not attend the rally, over 15,000 people got together to show they supported him.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Dartmouth College Library

A black and white photograph of four men standing in the doorway of a brick building. Two men stand slightly in front of the other two. The men in front carry their hats, and all are wearing winter clothes. A sign placed above the front door reads "WELCOME/Senator/ESTES/KEFAUVER." Directly below this welcome sign is another sign, which reads "NO. 1 MACH.ROOM."

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Photograph/Print

Estes Kefauver Campaigns in Lincoln, NH

1952

Caption:

Estes Kefauver was a U.S. senator from Tennessee who ran for president in the 1952 primary. He spent many months in New Hampshire, traveling to towns all over the state to meet with people and answer their questions. He became the popular candidate for the Democratic Party that year instead of President Harry Truman. This photograph shows Estes Kefauver in front of a machine room or mechanical shop in Lincoln, New Hampshire.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Estes Kefauver Papers, 1925–1967, MPA.144. University of Tennessee, Knoxville–Libraries

A photograph of two men, one seated, are on a dog sled in the wintertime being pulled by at least two dogs.

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Photograph/Print

Estes Kefauver in a Dogsled

1952

Caption:

Democratic primary candidate Estes Kefauver rides a dog sled to his next campaign stop during the 1952 New Hampshire primary.

Image Credit: Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration

A black and white photograph of a white man, looking at the camera. He wears a collared shirt and tie, and a military-style jacket.

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Photograph/Print

General Dwight D. Eisenhower

1947

Caption:

General Dwight D. "Ike" Eisenhower was the commander of American troops in Europe during World War II. He stayed to help rebuild Europe after the war ended. The five stars on his shoulder show that he was a five-star general, the second-highest possible rank in the United States Army. He resigned from the Army after he won the New Hampshire Republican primary in 1952. He won the presidential election later that year, and served two terms in office.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In a photograph, two white men in suits shake hands and smile.

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Photograph/Print

Governor Adams Greets Senator Taft

1951

Whitman Levensaler

Caption:

New Hampshire Governor Sherman Adams greets presidential primary candidate Senator Robert A. Taft at the State House on August 21, 1951.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

In a photograph, a man stands in a suit and gestures to a map behind him. The map shows New England, and the state of New Hampshire is larger than usual.

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Photograph/Print

Hugh Gregg with New Hampshire Map

1953

Caption:

New Hampshire Governor Hugh Gregg with regional map of New England. New Hampshire is larger on the map to show the importance of its role in selecting presidents.

Image Credit: Courtesy the New Hampshire Political Library

A colored photograph of a man in a blue suit speaking into a microphone. He is standing in the center of a room that is crowded with people seated in chairs. An American flag hangs from the back wall, and a blue, red, and white sign that reads "BIDEN/PRESIDENT" rests against the right-side wall.

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Photograph/Print

Joe Biden Town Hall

2019

Jason Moon

Caption:

During primary season, New Hampshire residents get access to all the candidates for president and have the opportunity to ask them questions and share their concerns. This photo from the summer of 2019 shows Joe Biden at a town hall meeting at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Jason Moon/NHPR

In a photograph, a smiling man in a suit is sitting in the sled while two sled dogs prepare to pull him. A crowd of men and boys in winter wear surround the man in the sled, watching.

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Photograph/Print

John F. Kennedy in a Dogsled

1960

Caption:

Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy prepares to go for a dogsled ride during the 1960 primary in Berlin, NH. Kennedy won the New Hampshire primary that year, and went on to win the general election.

Image Credit: Courtesy of the New Hampshire Political Library

A photograph shows cars driving on a city street with "Kefauver for President" signs taped to their trunks. A car in the foreground has loud speakers on the roof. A large banner strung across the street from one building to another reads "Win with Taft." A billboard supporting Taft is seen in the upper left on a rooftop.

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Photograph/Print

Kefauver Campaign Motorcade

circa 1951–1952

Caption:

A motorcade supporting Estes Kefauver, Democratic candidate for the 1952 presidential primary, travels down a street in Nashua past advertisements supporting Republican candidate Robert Taft.

Image Credit: Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration

Kefauver Reads About His NH Primary Victory

A black and white photograph of a white man smiling and holding an opened newspaper. The title of the newspaper reads "The Boston Daily Globe/IKE LEADING TAFT/KEFAUVER TOPS TRUMAN."

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Photograph/Print

Kefauver Reads About His NH Primary Victory

1952

Caption:

Estes Kefauver reads a newspaper with a big headline about his surprise victory in the 1952 Democratic primary in New Hampshire. Kefauver beat the sitting president, Harry S. Truman, and there was also an underdog victory in the Republican primary that year. All of those surprises meant that there was a lot of media attention to New Hampshire during the primary and for every primary after. You never know what will happen in the New Hampshire primary!

Image Credit: Courtesy of the Library of Congress

A colored drawing of a group of men sitting around a table. They are all drinking, smoking cigars, and looking at documents. They all wear white collared shirts, bow ties, suit jackets, and top hats.

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Photograph/Print

Making Political Deals

undated

Caption:

This political cartoon shows how many New Hampshire voters felt about the primary before 1952. Since they did not vote directly for a nominee, many voters felt like the real decisions were made by a small group of men who wanted what was best for the powerful and the wealthy, not for all of the people. The 1952 primary was the first one where New Hampshire voters could vote directly for their candidate, so they felt they had a voice in the process.

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Photograph/Print

Meeting with Voters

1987

UPI

Caption:

Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore listens to voters at a Nashua soup kitchen in December 1987, about two months before the 1988 New Hampshire primary. This kind of face-to-face meeting between ordinary voters and presidential candidates is one of the traditions of the New Hampshire primary.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Midnight Voting Results in Dixville Notch

In a photograph, a man fills in a large chart to show who won the most votes in an election. The table is titled "Dixville Notch, New Hampshire / 1988 Presidential Primary." There are more votes on the Republican side, and George Bush has won with 11 votes.

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Photograph/Print

Midnight Voting Results in Dixville Notch

1988

UPI

Caption:

Election official Stephen Barba posts the results of the 1988 presidential primary in Dixville Notch, NH, on February 16, 1988.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

President Lyndon Johnson Speaks to the Nation

A colored photograph of a white man sitting at a table, talking into a pair of microphones. He wears round glasses, a white collared shirt, red tie, and black suit jacket.

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Photograph/Print

President Lyndon Johnson Speaks to the Nation

1968

Yoichi Okamoto

Caption:

President Lyndon B. Johnson ran in the New Hampshire primary in 1968. He was the incumbent, meaning that he already had the job he was running for. He won the New Hampshire primary, but only barely. He was unpopular at the time because of the war in Vietnam, and a candidate who opposed the war almost beat him in the primary. The results convinced Johnson not to run for reelection. In this photo, he is giving a speech on television to announce his decision.

Image Credit: Courtesy of the LBJ Library

A black and white photograph of a group of men and women holding large, old-fashioned cameras, standing in the middle of the street. The road is wet, with several puddles, and the houses and lawns in the background are covered in snow.

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Photograph/Print

Reporters Covering the 1952 Primary

1952

Whitman Levensaler

Caption:

There was a lot of media attention on the 1952 New Hampshire primary. These reporters came from all over the country to cover the primary. They are taking pictures of candidate Estes Kefauver while he is campaigning, probably in Concord.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A colored photograph of seven men standing behind podiums on a stage, in front of a large group of people. Two groups of two people sit at tables on the stage, one at the center and one off to the left-hand side. A digital blue sign with white text is placed behind the standing men, which reads "abcNEWS/YOUR VOICE/YOUR VOTE/2016."

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Photograph/Print

Republican Debate 2016

2016

Gil Talbot

Caption:

There are always a lot of candidates on New Hampshire's primary ballot, and New Hampshire gets a lot of media attention during the primary. New Hampshire's results usually help narrow the field of candidates. Candidates who don't do well in New Hampshire start dropping out of the race. In February 2016, just a few days before the primary, ABC News held a debate on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, for the Republican candidates. (Candidates left to right are: John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, and Chris Christie.)

Image Credit: Courtesy of Saint Anselm College. Photographer: Gil Talbot.

Robert Taft Holding a Baby while on Campaign

A black and white photograph of a white man holding a baby. The man wear glasses, a coat, and a fedora hat, and the baby is dressed in winter gear.

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Photograph/Print

Robert Taft Holding a Baby while on Campaign

1952

Whitman Levensaler

Caption:

Robert Taft was a senator from Ohio. He was the front-runner in the 1952 New Hampshire Republican party primary, but he lost to General Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower. In this photo, he is campaigning in New Hampshire in March 1952.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

Sherman Adams, Ike Eisenhower, and Hugh Gregg

A black and white photograph of three white men in collared shirts, ties, and suit jackets. The man on the left looks directly at the camera, while the other two men shake hands and look at each other.

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Photograph/Print

Sherman Adams, Ike Eisenhower, and Hugh Gregg

circa 1953–1955

Whitman Levensaler

Caption:

This photo shows Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower with Sherman Adams (on the left) and Hugh Gregg (on the right). During the 1952 primary, Adams was the governor of New Hampshire. He thought Eisenhower would make a great president, so he organized a campaign for him during the 1952 New Hampshire primary. And Eisenhower won, even though he never visited New Hampshire! Adams later went to work for Eisenhower at the White House. This picture shows Adams and Eisenhower visiting New Hampshire and meeting with Hugh Gregg, who was the governor after Adams.

Image Credit: New Hampshire Historical Society

A colored photograph of a smiling woman standing in front of a large wall display of campaign buttons, signs, and other political memorabilia.

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Photograph/Print

State House Primary Campaign Board

2019

Caption:

Virginia Drew, director of the State House Visitors Center, stands in front of her "campaign board." The board displays primary campaign bumper stickers, signs, and other memorabilia that she has collected over the years. Since 2008, every major presidential candidate has stopped by the Visitors Center when filing their campaign paperwork and had their picture taken with Drew. Those photos are also displayed on the board.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Virginia Drew

A photograph of a man with a boot on his head, an animal-print jacket, three ties, and long facial hair throws glitter over the head of a seated man. Two seated men in ties and jackets have a small grin on their faces.

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Photograph/Print

Vermin Supreme at a NH Political Event

2011

Marc Nozell

Caption:

Long-shot New Hampshire presidential primary candidate Vermin Supreme "glitterbombing" another primary candidate during a special event at Saint Anselm College for lesser-known candidates.

Image Credit: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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Find It! The New Hampshire Primary

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