CNN

Dodd with Secretary of State William Gardner after filing for the New Hampshire Primary.

CONCORD, New Hampshire (CNN) - Greeted by "Firefighters for Dodd" and other campaign supporters, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd on Friday, became the first Democratic presidential candidate to file for the New Hampshire primary.

New Hampshire Secretary of State, William Gardner, was in attendance and handed him a pen to sign his name on the application. When Dodd realized the pen was dry, he replied, “No ink in here. Where’s the Republican!” Gardner advised Dodd to “use your own pen.”

At a press conference following the filing, Dodd explained why New Hampshire and Iowa are so important to his campaign.

“This is very good for the country,” Dodd said. “If New Hampshire and Iowa did not exist, I don’t think I could be at this table today, candidly. We ought to have a process that allows people of talent and ability and experience to run for the presidency without having to be multi-millionaires or have the access to multimillions here. That’s what would happen if you eliminate this process.”

Dodd is registering at around 1 percent in most polls.

Related video: Watch a clip of Sen. Dodd in New Hampshire on Friday

– CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla