Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley during a campaign stop in Dover, New Hampshire on March 27. <i>Charles Krupa/AP</i>

GOP 2024 presidential hopefuls hit Exeter, New Hampshire, for candidate forum

David Mark

October 06, 04:45 AM October 06, 04:45 AM

A scrum of 2024 Republican presidential candidates will descend on the town of Exeter, New Hampshire, near the Granite State’s short seacoast, as its first-in-the-nation primary approaches.

Seacoast Media Group/USA Today Network is set to hold separate town hall forums with Republican candidates, though former President Donald Trump, by far the leader of the GOP pack, isn’t going.

DESANTIS UNDER PRESSURE TO GET OFF THE ROPES IN SECOND REPUBLICAN DEBATE

Six Republican presidential primary candidates have committed to meet with voters between Oct. 10 and Oct. 15, with times still to be set: Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND); former South Carolina governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley; former Texas Rep. Will Hurd; Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas governor from 2015-23; Mike Pence, vice president under Trump from 2017-21; and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. They’re vying for the right to challenge President Joe Biden in a GOP candidate field that also includes former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

The Republican candidate forums are set for Exeter Town Hall, in the town of about 16,000 people — 10 Front St., Exeter, NH 03833.

Early-voting states

New Hampshire’s secretary of state hasn’t set the Republican primary date. But it will likely be about a week after the kickoff Iowa caucuses, which are slated for Tuesday, Jan. 15. And the New Hampshire voting will come before the Feb. 8 Iowa caucuses and Feb. 24 South Carolina primary.

Here are events in key early-voting states that have already drawn speaking commitments from 2024 Republican presidential candidates or are likely to, due to their strategic locations in early-voting states, where candidates can meet and greet voters and potential donors.

Oct. 11 (Wednesday)

Las Vegas Conservative Townhall Group

Ahern Hotel

300 W. Sahara Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89102

6-8 p.m. PDT

Oct. 12 (Thursday)

NHGOP 170th Founding Anniversary Celebration

Stark Brewing Company

500 N. Commercial Street

6:30-9 p.m. EDT

Douglas County Central Committee General Meeting

Elk’s Lodge

1227 Kimmerling Rd.

Gardnerville, NV 89460

6:30-9 p.m. PDT

Oct. 13 (Friday)

First in the Nation Leadership Summit

11 Tara Blvd.

Nashua, NH 03062

1 p.m. EDT

Per organizers, “The Summit will feature Presidential candidates, elected officials, and Republican thought leaders from across the nation joining together to discuss conservative solutions to today’s issues.”

Oct. 13-14 (Friday-Saturday)

Iowa Federation of Republican Women Biennial Convention

Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel

1800 50th St., West Des Moines, IA 50266

Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.-Saturday, Oct. 14, 4:30 p.m. CDT.

Invited speakers: “All Presidential Candidates,” per event organizers.

Oct. 14 (Saturday)

Sullivan County GOP Harvest Dinner

365 Lovers Lane Rd.

Charlestown, NH 03603

6-9 p.m. EDT

Nye County Republican Party Membership Meeting