WASHINGTON — Unemployment rates fell in 24 U.S. states last month, including some of those with early presidential nominating contests.

Jobless rates rose in 14 states and were unchanged in 12. Employers added jobs in 34 states and cut them in 16.

In Iowa, site of the nation’s first presidential contest, the rate ticked up to a still-low 3.8 percent from 3.7 percent. The unemployment rate in New Hampshire, site of the second contest, slipped to 3.7 percent from 3.8 percent.

Those rates are far below the nation’s unemployment rate of 5.3 percent and could lower the importance of the economy in those states as a political issue.