US Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican Senator John McCain won their parties' primaries in New Hampshire Tuesday, an important battlefield for choosing candidates for this year's presidential election.

Clinton won the first primary with 39 percent of votes, with her rival Barack Obama trailing with 36 percent. Previous polls showed that Obama enjoyed a lead over Clinton in the state.

Appearing at her primary night, Clinton addressed supporters saying "thank you" more than 10 times. "In the process, I found my own voice," she said.

Obama congratulated Clinton on her win, which was the climax to a tense race in which the two candidates were neck and neck for three hours.

However, he insisted that he was "ready to go" to campaign in other states.

According to CNN exit polls, 47 percent of female voters cast ballots for Clinton, compared to 34 percent for Obama.

Another poll released by MSNBC TV showed that 42 percent of black voters supported Clinton while 35 percent endorsed Obama.

Campaign observers told CNN that the two will remain tied in the following primaries and caucuses.

Republican candidate McCain also won the primary with 37 percent of the party's vote, defeating his party rival Mitt Romney with a 5-point lead.

McCain's victory was aided by large support from independent voters.

The 71-year-old Arizona Senator's win dealt a bitter blow to Romney, who finished second in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)