Red State Update go to the New Hampshire 2016 Primary. Baba Steve: babasteve.org The New Hampshire primary is the first primary election held in the United States following the Iowa Caucuses in choosing the Democratic and Republican nominees for the presidency. It takes place in the state of New Hampshire and is designed to give an early voice to the New England region much like the Iowa Caucus gives an early voice to the Midwest. New Hampshire often differs from Iowa ideologically which often gives an advantage to candidates who may not play well in the Midwest. Since 1952, the primary has been a major testing ground for candidates for both the Republican and Democratic nominations. Candidates who do poorly frequently drop out, while lesser-known, underfunded candidates who do well in New Hampshire suddenly become serious contenders, garnering large amounts of media attention and campaign funding.