Biden has 2 primary challengers in New Hampshire: How Phillips and Williamson are campaigning

HOOKSETT, N.H. — In the final days of campaigning for Republicans ahead of their closely watched presidential primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday, two Democratic candidates have been trying to make their own kind of splash — similarly traversing the state in a race where their leading opponent is notably absent.

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and author and speaker Marianne Williamson are challenging incumbent President Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic nomination.

They each face a steep challenge, as Democrats at nearly every level of the party — from the national committee to state leaders — have rallied behind Biden while polling shows neither Phillips or Williamson has gotten much momentum with voters.

That hasn't deterred them, though, even as a protracted dispute over scheduling has technically rendered New Hampshire's primary results irrelevant for actually winning the presidential nomination.

Biden also declined to campaign in the state or be listed on the primary ballot because of the calendar fight between the state and the DNC — but Phillips and Williamson have been trying to use New Hampshire as a launching pad for their own candidacies.

Phillips has hosted over 60 events across the state since he started his White House bid in October.

«I'm only nine or 10 weeks into this whole thing. People don't know me yet. That's actually a blessing. I'm going to be working my tail off introducing myself,» Phillips told ABC News' Zohreen Shah on Thursday in New Hampshire, noting that he intends to make it all the way until the national convention.

Since starting his campaign, Phillips has given sometimes contradictory statements about his future. He previously said he would end his bid and back Biden after Super Tuesday, in early