DNC vote to change primary election timeline faces resistance with local Democrats

LACONIA — When the Democratic National Committee officially approved the early-window presidential primary calendar for 2028 on Saturday, they dethroned New Hampshire, which historically hosts the first-in-the-nation primary.

“I think it's misguided. You know, we have a tradition. We have a very informed electorate that's used to grilling people. And I think that was a very useful part of the electoral process,” said Dan Hooberman, chair of the Laconia Democratic Committee. 

“New Hampshire is a great spot. It's a small state, and people get to know each other. I talked to some candidates that have come through, and everyone says how surprised they are, how well informed the questions are,” Hooberman said. “People are really paying attention to local and national politics and it's a good crucible for a primary presidential election.”

The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted for the six states to vote first in the primaries in 2028, on July 24. South Carolina will vote first on Jan. 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on Feb. 1, New Hampshire on Feb. 8, New Mexico on Feb. 15, Michigan on Feb. 22, and Virginia on Feb. 29.

Members of the DNC signed off on the new calendar in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, confirming primary elections for the six states prior to Super Tuesday on March 7.

Johnna Davis, chair of the Belknap County Democratic Committee, has been politically active in New Hampshire for over 12 years. She called the DNC’s decision “short-sighted” and that due to state law, it is “not going to stop us.”

“We’re going to continue to do what we do best in New Hampshire."

According to New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation law, “The presidential primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in March or on a Tuesday selected by the secretary of state which is 7 days or more immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election, whichever is earlier.”

New Hampshire's first time leading the vote was for the presidential primaries in 1920. For over 100 years, Granite Staters have taken pride in being the first stop for candidates on their road to presidency, with the state’s diverse political leanings and engaged residents.

The DNC also changed the presidential nominating calendar in 2024, to support then-President Joe Biden’s reelection bid. The NH Democratic Party was met with threats that state delegates were not to be counted at the Democratic National Convention. In 2024, the party followed state law, holding the early primary anyway. Biden did not appear on the ballot in New Hampshire. The Democratic National Committee and the state party made amends afterward.

The NH Democratic Party now faces the same issue, with threats the DNC won’t count any delegates if they choose to follow state law and cast votes before any other state.

Immediately following the Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting July 24, the NH Democratic Party released a joint statement with Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH): “New Hampshire’s First in the Nation primary is a tested proving ground in a closely contested swing state that forges better candidates and better presidents — and despite what DNC insiders say, that hasn’t changed.”

Hooberman expressed his disappointment in the DNC’s decision.

“We're thankful Ray Buckley and the NHDP put on a strong case, I know they worked very hard to do that. We're not going to focus on this right now. I don't know what the approach is going to be as things come closer, but we're going to stay sort of, for the moment, fixed on more local issues."

After the DNC voted to adopt the Rules and Bylaws Committee’s primary calendar for 2028, the NH Democratic Party put out another statement from Chair Ray Buckley.

“There is no other state that better meets the efficiency, rigorousness, and fairness criteria that the Rules and Bylaws Committee established to ensure Democrats elect the strongest presidential nominee. Time and again, New Hampshire has proven we are uniquely suited to battle-test candidates.”

Buckley emphasized the significance of Granite Staters’ voices in electing a Democratic nominee.

“Our small, purple state gives candidates a level playing field with the opportunity to meet voters face-to-face, answer tough questions, and earn support one conversation at a time.”