U.S. News
Filmmaker Pushes Democrats to Restore Primary Tradition
Clear Facts
- Ken Burns, a well-known American documentary filmmaker, urged Democrats to reinstate New Hampshire as the first primary state for the 2028 presidential race.
- The Democratic National Committee (DNC) changed its primary calendar for 2024, placing South Carolina ahead of New Hampshire, in contrast to a century-long tradition.
- The DNC is considering which state will start its 2028 nominating contest as the party seeks to regain the White House.
Ken Burns, who lives in Walpole, New Hampshire, sent a letter to the DNC’s Rules & Bylaws Committee just before their meeting in Puerto Rico to review applications from several states, including New Hampshire, wanting to hold early primaries in 2028.
“I’m writing to you today both as a Granite Stater who has witnessed firsthand how New Hampshire’s First in the Nation Primary has helped move our democracy forward, and a historical filmmaker who, in this particularly challenging moment, is concerned for the future of our country and believes that New Hampshire’s citizen-led, First in the Nation primary remains indispensable for this moment,” Burns wrote in the letter.
Burns also emphasized, “I know of no people better suited to help begin the journey to maintain true freedom, to re-light that sacred fire, than the people of the Live Free or Die State. That’s why we need New Hampshire’s citizen-led, First in the Nation Primary, where everyday people can be heard. For in the strength of everyday citizens, there is no better or equal hope in our world.”
New Hampshire Democrats continue to advocate for the state’s tradition of grassroots politics and its record of high voter participation, noting these qualities make it ideal to lead the primary calendar.
The party’s 2024 decision led the New Hampshire primary to become an unsanctioned election, with the DNC barring their delegates from the national convention, though they were eventually reinstated.
The Rules and Bylaws Committee is expected to finalize the 2028 calendar later this year.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee has signaled plans to keep New Hampshire’s status as an early primary state, closely following its longstanding tradition.
Stay informed as both parties finalize their rules for the 2028 presidential election cycle. American voters have a stake in these decisions that affect the nation’s democratic process.
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