Political novice Donald Trump and self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire's presidential primaries Tuesday, US media projected, turning the American political establishment on its head early in the long nominations battle.



With less than 10 percent of precincts reporting, CNN, Fox and other networks called the race for the Republican frontrunner Trump and for Sanders, who is battling Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

"When we stand together, we win. Thank you, New Hampshire!" tweeted Sanders, who is treated like a local hero in this state that borders Vermont, which he represents in the US Senate.

Once every four years, the nation's eyes focus turn to New Hampshire, the small northeastern state, home to just 1.3 million people, that holds the first state primaries after the Iowa caucuses kick off the US presidential nomination process.

Officials were predicting a record turnout.

New Hampshire sets the tone for the primaries to come -- and could whittle down a crowded Republican field as the arch-conservative Senator Ted Cruz and more mainstream candidates battle for second place behind frontrunner Trump.

But the state's primaries are known for their surprises, leaving several candidates hopeful that they can outperform the narrative established by months of polling.

The early projections kicked off a fierce battle for second on the Republican side among Ohio Governor John Kasich, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, Cruz and Senator Marco Rubio.

For the past 60 years or so, most of the candidates who ended up winning the White House won their party's primary in the so-called Granite State.

But tellingly, the last three presidents -- Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton -- were all elected despite losing in New Hampshire.

A RealClearPolitics poll average shows Sanders -- who has called for nothing short of a "political revolution" -- leading 54.5 percent to 41.2 percent for Clinton in the state.

Trump leads rival Republicans with 31.2 percent -- with no other candidate above 15 percent. (AFP)