Although one of the smallest states in both size and population, New Hampshire is often the center of the political world during the primaries, mainly because it is the first primary. New Hampshire has always been a relatively republican state, being one of very few to register more republicans than democrats until recently. After being struck by the recession in the 1990s, Democrats have been competing heavily in this state. New Hampshire has had a democratic governor ever since electing Shaheen in 1996. Up from his 1% margin in 1992, Clinton carried the state with a 10% margin over Dole in 1996. Bush then carried the state in 2000 with only a 1% margin. Republicans have held both senator seats since the mid-1980s and continue to do so coming into this election. New Hampshire is unlike the other 49 states in many ways, including its 98% white population, no income tax, and the high number of registered Republican voters. New Hampshire also enjoys one of the lowest crime and poverty levels in the nation and an unemployment rate of 1% below that national average. Both of its two congressional districts also hold these traits.
             New Hampshire is broken down into two almost identical, in population and demographics, districts. District 1, the focus of my study, encompasses the southeast corner of the state and includes Manchester, Rochester, Dover, and Portsmouth and is much smaller in area than District 2. Both districts' demographics and voting trends compare surprisingly close to being identical to New Hampshire's. Like the state, Congressional District 1 has been considered a safe Republican district until recently. Although the house seat has remained republican, the presidential elections have remained close and alternated between Democrats and Republicans in the last 3 elections. A Large portion of District 1's population lives in an urban area. Although, as a whole, New Hampshire is spilled 51% urban 49% rural, this difference in ...