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Essential question

Why are early primaries so important for candidates running for president?

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Washington outsiders Donald Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders won big in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night. Trump pulled off an easy win with an almost 20 percent margin between him and his closest competitor. He ultimately took 10 of the state’s 23 Republican delegates while Sanders won 13 of the 24 Democratic delegates. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lost to Sanders by more than 20 points, marking a setback from her victory in last week’s Democratic Iowa caucuses. Clinton previously beat then-opponent Barack Obama in the New Hampshire primary in 2008. Ohio Gov. John Kasich finished second behind Trump, followed by Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who finished a disappointing sixth followed by Carly Fiorina and Dr. Ben Carson, said he would be taking time to reevaluate his campaign in the coming days. Both Trump and Sanders, who finished second in Iowa, celebrated with supporters. “You started it, remember, you started it,” Trump said in his victory speech. Sanders thanked his many campaign volunteers who he said worked night and day. “We won because of your energy,” Sanders said. The economy had many New Hampshire residents worried about long-term economic challenges and helped to draw voters to both Trump and Sanders, according to NewsHour Political Director Lisa Desjardins.

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Key terms

delegate — individuals chosen to represent their state at the Republican and Democratic party conventions prior to a presidential election precinct — a district of a city or town as defined for police purposes

Warm up questions ( before watching the video)

1. What is a primary election?


2. What do candidates running for president do during the primary period of the election cycle?


3. Where does the next presidential primary take place?

Critical thinking questions ( after watching the video)

1. Is the outcome in New Hampshire’s primary representative of how the country as a whole will vote? Why or why not?


2. Why is New Hampshire’s primary viewed as significant to the election process?


3. What did people who voted for Trump and Sanders report as the primary factors for their choice?