RNC Threatens To Cancel GOP Debate If New Hampshire Primary Date Moves Up

The Republican National Committee, or RNC, has cautioned the New Hampshire GOP about potentially losing a presidential debate if the state moves its primary date ahead of Iowa’s caucus, The Hill reported.

This development has escalated tensions between the national GOP and New Hampshire, which has persistently aimed to hold the country’s first primary.

"The first presidential primary will happen in New Hampshire, whatever the political power brokers in Washington, DC think," New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu was quoted as saying in a Fox News statement. 

"We will not be threatened, we will abide by our law, and we WILL go first. End of story."

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The law in New Hampshire mandates the state to hold its primaries “first in the nation.” Traditionally, the Granite State has been just after Iowa in the Republican primary. In this election, however, the national GOP scheduled Iowa first — January 15, 2024 — and placed New Hampshire a week later.

Democrats have made a more substantial shift, pushing both Iowa and New Hampshire back in the line. Iowa Democrats have dismissed that calendar, deciding to hold their caucus the same day as Republicans on Jan. 15.

The RNC has plans to conduct a debate in every early primary state including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. But, if New Hampshire alters their primary date, that debate will be canceled, the party has warned.

"New Hampshire provides every candidate an equal playing field and can catapult candidates to the presidency," Sununu stated. "Threatening to take a debate away from New Hampshire is a disservice to every campaign and candidate that has tirelessly worked to earn the votes of New Hampshire's Republican electorate."

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