“The first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary serves a national purpose by giving all candidates an equal opportunity on a level playing field,” Fergus Cullen, head of the New Hampshire Republican Party, said in a statement released Saturday regarding the network’s decision to part ways with his organization. “Only in New Hampshire do lesser known, lesser funded underdogs have a fighting chance to establish themselves as national figures. Consistent with that tradition, we believe all recognized major candidates should have an equal opportunity to participate in pre-primary debates and forums.”

As Big Head DC reported earlier, Cullen felt that Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in a GOP candidate forum scheduled for Sunday evening to be broadcast on FOX News. Network heads, however, felt differently, so they broke ties with the state GOP today.

“The New Hampshire Republican Party believes Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in the FOX forum on Sunday evening,” Cullen said. ”Our mutual efforts to resolve this difference have failed.”

Concluded Cullen: “While we understand that FOX News continues to move forward it is with regret, the New Hampshire Republican Party hereby withdraws as a partner in this forum.”