Joe Biden

Joe Biden Files Paperwork for First-in-the-Nation New Hampshire Primary

Asked afterward about a narrative that he's failed to establish himself as a strong front-runner, Biden said, "The polls aren't the reason I'm running"

Former Vice President Joe Biden filed paperwork Friday to put his name on the ballot for New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary, being held in February.  

Biden was the latest Democratic hopeful to submit the paperwork at the New Hampshire Statehouse. Accompanied by his wife, Jill Biden, the candidate greeted a throng of people in the hallway, most of them supporters, as he made his way to put pen to paper. 

"Where do I sign, boss?" Biden asked New Hampshire Secretary of State William M. Gardner before signing the paperwork. 

Asked afterward about a narrative that he's failed to establish himself as a strong front-runner, Biden said, "The polls aren't the reason I'm running. This is a marathon, and it's really important that you do well in these first four states."

He said polls he's seen has him "pretty far ahead," especially in those states.

His swing to the Granite State comes a day after reports surfaced that former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg was eyeing a run for the Oval Office. Bloomberg would join an already crowded field of Democratic hopefuls, reportedly because he sees weakness in the standing of fellow centrist Biden.

Biden welcomed Bloomberg into the race: "Michael's a solid guy, let's see where it goes."

Later Friday, Biden appeared at a roundtable with domestic violence victims at the University of New Hampshire School of Law. He's scheduled to make a number of campaign appearances on Saturday as well.

While Biden may be in New Hampshire, his campaign on Friday rolled out a slate of new endorsements from officials in Iowa, including 10 mayors.

On Thursday night, he was in Boston for a fundraiser hosted by state Rep. Claire Cronin.

Biden wasn't the only candidate to file for the primary Friday. Fellow Democrat Andrew Yang signed the paperwork and paid the fee — which matches his proposed monthly "Freedom Dividend" — as well.

And Thursday, current Vice President Mike Pence made the same trip to New Hampshire to put President Donald Trump on the Republican primary ballot.

Biden on Friday cited Trump's influence as the reason he's running to replace him in the Oval Office, calling himself a uniter.

"The next president's going to inherit a divided country and a world in disarray and I think that we've gotta be ready on Day 1 to be able to put both back together," he said.

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