New Hampshire’s presidential primary filing period opens with candidates critical of Biden and Trump

By HOLLY RAMER
Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is the first nationally known candidate to sign up at the start of New Hampshire’s presidential primary filing period. Hutchinson has languished in polls but says he expects many New Hampshire voters to decide late. New Hampshire’s filing period began Wednesday. The first two candidates to file were a Connecticut Democrat critical of Joe Biden and a Texas Republican who’s tried to keep Donald Trump off the ballot. There have been changes to the nominating calendar elsewhere. But New Hampshire’s new elections chief is carrying on the tradition of ensuring his state remains first, waiting for the dust to settle in other states before scheduling the 2024 contest.