Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE’s (I-Vt.) White House campaign announced Thursday it is beefing up its staff and opening new offices in the crucial primary state of New Hampshire.

The campaign said it now has 45 staffers on the ground in New Hampshire, most of whom are focused on field and community organizing.

The campaign will also be opening field offices in Manchester, Portsmouth, Dover and West Lebanon, bringing its total number of offices to six throughout the state.

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“From day one of this campaign, I have said we will take nothing for granted here in the first-in-the-nation primary. We're building out the organization we need to talk to every Granite Stater in every corner of New Hampshire and earn their vote. I'm proud of the team we put together,” Joe Caiazzo, New Hampshire state director for the Sanders campaign, said in a press release.

Sanders's announcement comes amid what is expected to be steep competition from Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.) in New Hampshire, with both senators representing New England states.

Sanders, who won the 2016 New Hampshire primary against Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonFox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio Trump, Biden court Black business owners in final election sprint The power of incumbency: How Trump is using the Oval Office to win reelection MORE by more than 20 points, is facing a challenge from Warren for the primary field’s progressive mantle. Warren enjoyed a boost in support following last month’s Democratic debate, leapfrogging Sanders in some national and statewide polls.

Warren also outraised Sanders by roughly $1 million in the second quarter of 2019 and has invested heavily in beefing up her staff in early primary states.