Ken Burns Urges Democrats to Restore New Hampshire’s Primary Status

NEWFIELDS, NH — Ken Burns, the well-known filmmaker celebrated for his documentaries on American history, has a heartfelt request for Democratic leaders.

He’s advocating for New Hampshire to reclaim its position as the first primary state in the Democratic National Committee’s 2028 presidential primary schedule. Historically, New Hampshire has been the site of the initial primaries for both major parties for over a century. However, the DNC has recently shifted the order, placing South Carolina ahead of New Hampshire, which Burn sees as problematic.

This change came as a bit of a distraction during the 2024 primaries, and now discussions are underway regarding which states should lead in 2028, a pivotal year given that it follows a term-limited presidency under Donald Trump, who is vying to return to the Oval Office.

The race for the 2028 presidential nomination is starting: both parties are gearing up.

Burns, who resides in a small town in southwestern New Hampshire, sent a letter to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee on the eve of its meeting in Puerto Rico. In his message, he urged the committee to consider requests from New Hampshire and other states for earlier primaries in 2028.

“I write to you as both a Granite State resident and a historical filmmaker who is deeply concerned about our nation’s future during these challenging times. I believe New Hampshire’s citizen-led primary is essential,” Burns expressed.

‘Rockstar’ Newsom Shines at DNC Summit

Bearing in mind the significance of New Hampshire’s primary, Burns remarked, “No one embodies the qualities we need to preserve true freedom more than the people of the Free or Die state. That’s why retaining New Hampshire as the first primary is vital—it represents a genuine hope for our world.”

Ray Buckley, part of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee and a veteran of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, praised Burns as “a beloved storyteller whose insights resonate strongly.” He suggested that Burns’ comments are likely to make an impact.

2028 Approaches: Key Democratic Figures Gather for Summit

The Democratic Party has often critiqued both Iowa and New Hampshire, noting their smaller, predominantly white demographics are not fully representative of the party’s broader base. In contrast, states like Nevada and South Carolina, which are more diverse, have been added to the primary calendar over the last couple of decades.

Nevertheless, proponents in New Hampshire argue that the state’s robust political tradition, community engagement, and consistently high voter participation justify its spot at the forefront of the primary process.

Despite the DNC stripping New Hampshire of its top position for the 2024 election, the state is still scheduled to host its primary on January 23, 2024, adhering to a longstanding law that requires them to hold their primary before any other races.

Past unauthorized elections in South Carolina and Nevada led to the DNC barring delegates from those states at the convention. However, a resolution was later reached that reinstated their delegates.

The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is set to determine the 2028 election calendar later this year.

Recently, the Republican National Committee also affirmed its intention to maintain the traditional primary schedule, starting with the Iowa caucuses followed by New Hampshire’s primary.