On Friday, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Rules and Bylaws panel held a meeting to set the course for 2028 and decide who would host the "First in the Nation" 2028 primary. Traditionally, for over a century, it's been New Hampshire. However, the panel had other ideas, wanting a state that was more reflective of their electorate. The decision: New Hampshire is no longer in play because the state is too white.
Totally on brand for Democrats.
New Hampshire lost its standing as the First in the Nation presidential primary state among Democrats for the second election cycle in a row.
The Democratic National Committee’s panel overseeing the party’s rules and bylaws voted on Friday to give preference in its primary calendar to South Carolina, emphasizing its desire to recognize a more diverse voter population. New Hampshire is 91% white, according to U.S. Census data.
Among the 49 votes cast by the panel, New Hampshire received just four. The majority, 26, went to South Carolina. Nevada received 19.
In 2024, at the behest of Democrat Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-05), then-President Joe Biden chose to bypass New Hampshire and go with South Carolina to lead off the 2024 Democrat contests. Once again, based on no good reason except that Biden needed to secure the Black Democrat vote. We see how well that went.
This also upends things greatly for New Hampshire, which has been First in the Nation for primaries since around 1913. It is even written in their state laws.
By law, New Hampshire must hold its presidential primary election at least a week before any other state’s. Local leaders, on both sides of the aisle, criticized the DNC’s decision and reiterated that the state law would prevail.
This sea change signals the internal battles in the Democrat Party and its defining mandate of identity politics above common sense. Sorry, New Hampshire, nobody cares about your traditional stance for independence and democracy; the problem is you're just too white.
Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, attempted to regain top billing for the Granite State. In a speech made to the committee ahead of the vote, Buckley said New Hampshire’s independent-minded political culture forces candidates to be vetted by voters, face-to-face. He touted New Hampshire’s secure elections and timely results.
“If Democrats are serious about winning elections, we have to be serious about building a process that prepares our candidates to compete for everyone, for every vote, anywhere and everywhere,” Buckley said. “Our candidates need a process where voters are willing to engage, willing to listen and willing to challenge them to be better candidates, and that place is the Granite State.”
But here's the problem, Ray: You have too few Blacks and Hispanics among your ranks. Not to mention the transgender, indigenous, two-spirited bisexuals could probably be counted on one hand. Heck, New Hampshire even signed into law that boys can't compete in girls' sports. So, sorry, New Hampshire, even though you're staunch Democrats, your profile is just not very attractive.
Swipe LEFT.
Other members of the committee expressed concerns over New Hampshire’s lack of racial diversity. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan said no state should have an exclusive grip on First in the Nation status. Instead, she argued, it should be shared among multiple states to get a fuller picture of where voters are at.
“No one state should go first, have a lock on that. New Hampshire is part of the story of the first state, but we’re sending a message to America today that we are not business as usual,” said Dingell, who cast her vote for South Carolina. “Every voice matters, and that voice is from the African-American community, the Hispanic community, the Jewish, the Arab-American community and, quite frankly, white men, white women, but everybody matters.”
Says the elderly WHITE woman who was installed into Congress when her husband died. This is rather laughable coming from her mouth.
Democrats are tossing history and tradition out the window: how very Democratic Socialist (DSA) of them. Despite DNC Chair Ken Davis' denials, the party is taking on more of their characteristics every day.
Read More: Report: More Turmoil at the DNC With Leaks, Tantrums, and Phone-Throwing Drama
Democrat Infighting Takes Entertaining Turn As NYC Pol Accuses DSA of White Supremacy
Interestingly enough, the New Hampshire U.S. Congress and Senate critters, mostly women and all DEMOCRAT, are against this move.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander, all Democrats — said the decision was “wrong for the country.”
“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,” they said in a statement. “As a state with highly engaged voters, we put candidates through their paces and thoroughly vet them. And our small size means that actually meeting and talking to voters takes precedence over super PACs or mega-donor-fueled campaigns.”
The Girl (and guy) squad probably knows the party is pissing off New Hampshirites, who take great pride in the First in the Nation primary, along with benefiting greatly from the revenue that pours into the state from politicians, news media, the whole nine. Imagine the financial deficit they will experience by blowing up the system. Again, very DSA.
Even Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte thinks this idea is a hot mess.
The Democratic National Committee is completely wrong to disregard New Hampshire’s First-in-the-Nation primary.
— Governor Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) July 24, 2026
We will not back down from defending our state's place in history. pic.twitter.com/uWCkuUtxtW
Republican New Hampshire state Rep. Joe Sweeney defines the choices in this battle, and trust me, it is becoming one.
The DNC would be well within their rights to decertify any delegates elected via the First-in-the-Nation New Hampshire Primary on January 11th, 2028. They are a private organization, and can adopt any rules they'd like to manage their party nomination process.
— Joe Sweeney (@JoeSweeneyNH) July 25, 2026
New Hampshire…
The DNC would be well within their rights to decertify any delegates elected via the First-in-the-Nation New Hampshire Primary on January 11th, 2028. They are a private organization, and can adopt any rules they'd like to manage their party nomination process.
New Hampshire would also be within our rights to adopt a new state law, that bars from the general election ballot the Presidential nominees of any party that does not recognize and promote our FITN Primary.
Ballot access is a privilege, not a right. If the DNC wants to play hardball with New Hampshire, New Hampshire can (and should!) play hardball with the DNC.
These DNC Rules and Bylaws changes will face a final vote by the entirety of DNC membership at their August party convention in Austin, Texas.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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