Check out the photos captured at Red Arrow Diner leading up to and during the 2024 First in the Nation Primary by clicking here.
As the First-in-the-Nation Primary approaches, New Hampshire’s historic Red Arrow Diner in Manchester remains at the center of the political spotlight. Known for its classic American diner fare and nostalgic atmosphere, the diner continues to draw national attention as a must-visit stop for candidates on the campaign trail.
Visits on January 18th from prominent media outlets such as 22 News, Newsmax National Report, The Guardian Politics Weekly America, WCVB, and NewsNation highlight the diner’s reputation as a key hub for political activity. Whether capturing interviews with potential voters and the diner’s owners or reporting live from the iconic restaurant, this First-in-the-Nation Primary coverage underscores the Red Arrow Diner’s integral role in the electoral journey.
Check out the First in the Nation Primary visits Red Arrow Diner had on January 18, 2024:
22 News: New Hampshire Prepares for Presidential Primary Next Tuesday
The Red Arrow Diner in Manchester continues to be a focal point for First-in-the-Nation Primary coverage, with WWLP and Alanna Flood capturing the energy and importance of this historic event. As New Hampshire voters prepare to head to the polls, the diner serves as a hub for candidates, campaign teams, and the media, underscoring its role in the democratic process.
In the resulting article, Flood shares that with 24 candidates on the Republican ballot and 21 on the Democratic side, the Granite State offers a unique testing ground due to its large population of unaffiliated voters. Notably, President Joe Biden is absent from the Democratic ballot this year, requiring a write-in due to a scheduling conflict with the Democratic National Committee. Despite the chaos the primary season brings, locals express pride in their state’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s political landscape.
Click here to read the resulting article by Alanna Flood, Reporter for the WWLP in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Newsmax National Report
On “National Report,” hosts Shaun Kraisman and Emma Rechenberg covered the ongoing significance of New Hampshire in the presidential race, focusing on the article, “New Hampshire First in the Nation Tradition Continues,” from the Red Arrow Diner website. The article highlighted concerns raised by the Associated Press about Republican campaigns prioritizing Iowa over New Hampshire due to higher ad spending. However, New Hampshire’s GOP and local leaders, such as Neil Levesque, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, refuted this notion, emphasizing the state’s continued importance in the race. The Red Arrow Diner remained a central gathering spot for presidential hopefuls, with many candidates—including all Republicans except Donald Trump—committing to attend New Hampshire’s First in the Nation Leadership Summit. Mike Carter was onsite to discuss how New Hampshire maintained its pivotal role in the presidential primary process.
Click here to watch the resulting segment on Newsmax National Report.
The Guardian Politics Weekly America: What is the future of the New Hampshire primary?
In the 2024 New Hampshire primary, voters at the Red Arrow Diner Manchester reflected on how the once lively and personal campaign season has drastically changed. What used to feel like a festival, where voters met presidential hopefuls in intimate settings like living rooms and barns, is now a more subdued affair. With President Joe Biden off the ballot and only three Republican candidates—Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley—remaining, campaign events have become fewer and less engaging.
Jonathan Freedland from The Guardian Politics Weekly America explored this shift with insights from Dante Scala of the University of New Hampshire, James Pindell of the Boston Globe, and long-time voters. They discussed when this change occurred and whether the excitement and civic participation once central to the “First in the Nation” primary will ever return.
Click here for the resulting podcast by Jonathan Freedland and James Pindell of the Boston Globe for The Guardian Politics Weekly America in Manchester, New Hampshire.
WCVB: Election frenzy muted in New Hampshire compared to past years
As New Hampshire approaches its first-in-the-nation primary, the atmosphere feels noticeably quieter than in past elections. Fewer campaign signs are visible, two planned Republican debates were canceled after Donald Trump and Nikki Haley declined to participate, and President Joe Biden will not be on the ballot due to a dispute over the primary calendar. Voters, like one eating at the traditionally busy Red Arrow Diner, note the absence of the usual campaign presence, with fewer candidates crisscrossing the state.
Only the three remaining major Republican candidates—Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis—are still campaigning in New Hampshire. Haley visited Hollis, Trump made a stop in Portsmouth, and DeSantis toured Derry and Hampton before returning to Florida. This is a stark contrast to four years ago, when the state was bustling with candidate visits. As Sharman Sacchetti of WCVB reports, while New Hampshire was once a hub for personal connections between voters and candidates, the presence of large rallies, particularly from Trump, seems to have shifted the dynamic, leaving fewer opportunities for intimate retail politics.
Click here to read the resulting article by Sharman Sacchetti, Political Reporter and Co-Host of WCVB’s “On The Record.”
NewsNation: DeSantis shifts campaign away from New Hampshire
Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis shifted his campaign focus from New Hampshire to South Carolina ahead of the upcoming primary. Sources revealed that he reallocated most of his staff to South Carolina, where the primary was just over a month away. DeSantis had been trailing behind both Donald Trump and Nikki Haley in New Hampshire polls, with support numbers around 6%. In South Carolina, his support was slightly higher, though still under 10%.
This shift coincided with changes within the pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, which had reallocated its Iowa staff to other early primary states while laying off some personnel. Despite these adjustments, Never Back Down remained active, organizing events and field operations in key early states like South Carolina and New Hampshire. At a recent stop at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, a voter noted little enthusiasm for DeSantis, reflecting his struggles in New Hampshire.
Click here to read the resulting article by Joe Khalil and Sean Noone of NewsNation.
