How a $1,000 fee allowed 33 candidates to contest the New Hampshire primary
In short: In 2012, the Republican primary in New Hampshire featured a record-breaking field of 33 candidates. From single-issue activists to perennial contenders, the ballot was crowded, driven by lenient state laws that made running for president surprisingly affordable for anyone with a thousand dollars.
The 201 and 2012 presidential election in New Hampshire was marked by significant shifts in political alignment. While incumbent President Barack Obama secured re-election with 51.98% of the vote, the margin of victory was 5.58% over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, who earned 46.40%. Although Obama had won every county in the state in 2008, the 2012 results saw Romney capture Belknap, Carroll, and Rockingham counties. This victory for the Democrats marked the first time the party had won the state for more than two consecutive elections since 1944. It also stood as the final time the Democratic candidate would win Coös County in a presidential contest.
The Republican primary was particularly crowded, featuring 33 candidates, including figures like Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum. New Hampshire's ballot access laws are notably permissive: a candidate only needs to pay $1,000 to the state treasury and requires no party approval or petitions. This environment allowed for candidates like Stewart Greenleaf to run specifically to promote government spending issues, despite having no interest in the presidency. The primary itself took place on January 10, 2012, a date moved up from February because Florida had shifted its primary to late January. All major Republican contenders participated in televised debates held on January 7 and 8 at Saint Anselm College.
The race was also defined by a heavy focus on endorsements and campaign finance. Mitt Romney utilized significant resources, including a political action committee that distributed thousands of dollars to local Republican campaigns and a $25,000 donation to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. This led to criticisms that he was effectively 'buying' endorsements, as many officials who endorsed him had received contributions first. Despite this, Romney successfully secured a massive network of support, including the endorsement of the mayor of Manchester and numerous state representatives. The scale of Romney's support was immense, requiring a three-page pamphlet just to list his endorsed officials. His campaign strength was bolstered by the endorsement of Senator Kelly Ayotte and Representative Charles Bass from the state's congressional delegation.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2012 United States presidential election in New Hampshire
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