N.H. Votes: The Republican Presidential Primary

- An occasional WBUR series -

This winter, Republicans in New Hampshire will nominate their choice for president. What is unclear is how much influence the Tea Party will wield in making this choice.

To gauge the Tea Party’s influence in this first-in-the-nation primary, WBUR will explore the campaign through the communities of Mont Vernon and Rochester, N.H.

We chose Mont Vernon because it is the hometown of the speaker of the New Hampshire House, the state’s top elected Tea Party official. It's a small town in the southern part of the state.

Rochester has experienced some difficult times through the economic downturn and is trying to make a comeback. Politically, it mirrors New Hampshire: though more Democrats than Republicans live there, the biggest group of voters is independent. The small, former mill city near the Maine border is home to one of the more active Tea Party groups in the state.

Follow along as we explore Granite State politics at the grassroots level.

Dec. 8: Visit To N.H. Town Reveals Romney Doesn’t Have Primary Sewn Up

With just five weeks to go to the New Hampshire primary, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney still holds a commanding lead in that state. But former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is catching up.

Nov. 1: In N.H., How Important Is Tea Party Support?

Around the country, the Tea Party is expected to play a large role in shaping who is chosen as the Republican presidential nominee. But things are playing out differently in New Hampshire.

Oct. 11: Will New Hampshire Still Be A Make or Break Primary?

The Republican presidential candidates will debate in Hanover, New Hampshire, at Dartmouth College, Tuesday evening. It is the first debate held in the state since June. Political operatives are asking if New Hampshire is still a make or break primary?

Aug. 31: In N.H., A Tea Party Sympathizer Goes For Romney

We visit a Republican businessman whose views have been shaped by several traumatic events in his life. He believes in self-reliance and he thinks the candidate who best serves that philosophy is Mitt Romney.

Aug. 30: Tea Party Divides Rochester, N.H., Republicans

As New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary approaches, Republican voters in the city of Rochester are debating which candidate to support.

July 14: N.H. Tea Partiers Rally Behind Bachmann

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the Granite State’s front-runner, but there’s surging interest among Tea Partiers in Rep. Michele Bachmann.

June 8: Republican Wave Splits A N.H. Town

As the New Hampshire primary approaches, we spend some time with voters in Mont Vernon, where some of the townspeople are alarmed at the radical turn of politics in their state.