Rhode Islanders canvass New Hampshire ahead of primary

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Hannah Henry Haas had never seen herself as politically–involved before.

“I’ve never donated to a campaign,” said the Coventry resident. “I’ve certainly never canvassed.”

But that’s exactly what she’s been doing this weekend in New Hampshire, volunteering to knock on doors and talk with voters about her preferred candidate, Mayor Pete Buttigieg — one of the most closely-watched in this primary.

“There’s sort of an electric feeling with New Hampshire, that it is the first–in–the–nation primary,” she said. “The people that you do talk to — especially in New Hampshire, I think – they’re really interested in being a big part of the process.”

But now that process is being questioned more than ever.

The chaotic Iowa caucus is renewing concerns about whether that state — and New Hampshire — deserve to have such powerful voices.

“They are very white states that don’t represent what the majority of America looks like, but we’re dealing with the system as it is right now,” said Kinverly Dicupe of Pawtucket.

Dicupe is canvassing New Hampshire with other supporters of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is also closely–watched in this primary.

They say they find voters are open, engaged, and looking for a president who addresses issues like climate change, student loan debt, and growing inequality.

“Housing is ridiculous, healthcare is ridiculous,” said Benjamin Gonzalez of Pawtucket. “It comes to a point where we just can’t do enough to save money for our future.”

President Trump is expected to hold a rally in Manchester on Monday night, just hours before polls open in New Hampshire.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020