Filmmaker Ken Burns, renowned for his sweeping documentaries on American life, has issued a passionate plea to the Democratic Party. He’s urging them to reinstate New Hampshire’s traditional position as the first-in-the-nation primary state for the 2028 presidential election.
For a century, New Hampshire held this pivotal role for both major parties, a cornerstone of the American democratic process. While Republicans maintained the tradition in the last election cycle, the Democratic National Committee made a controversial shift, placing South Carolina first – a move that created friction and uncertainty.
Burns, a long-time resident of Walpole, New Hampshire, recently penned a letter to the DNC’s Rules & Bylaws Committee. He expressed deep concern for the future of the country and argued that New Hampshire’s unique primary system is more vital than ever.
His letter, obtained before a committee meeting, emphasized the importance of a citizen-led process. Burns believes the people of New Hampshire, embodying the state’s “Live Free or Die” spirit, are uniquely qualified to initiate the journey toward preserving freedom and reigniting national ideals.
The debate over New Hampshire’s position stems from broader discussions about representation within the Democratic Party. Some national Democrats have argued that states like Iowa and New Hampshire, with their largely white populations and limited urban centers, don’t accurately reflect the party’s diversity.
However, New Hampshire Democrats fiercely defend their state’s tradition of grassroots politics. They point to a highly engaged and informed electorate, consistently high voter turnout, and the state’s crucial role as a swing state in general elections.
In 2024, despite the DNC’s decision, New Hampshire defiantly moved forward with its first-in-the-nation primary, adhering to a state law mandating its position. This resulted in an unsanctioned election, initially costing the state its delegates at the national convention.
Ultimately, a compromise was reached, and New Hampshire’s delegates were reinstated. The DNC’s Rules & Bylaws Committee will deliberate further before finalizing the 2028 calendar later this year, a decision carrying significant weight for the future of presidential nominating contests.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee has already taken steps to maintain its existing calendar, with Iowa continuing to lead off the process followed by New Hampshire – reaffirming the enduring importance of these states in the presidential race.
Ray Buckley, a longtime New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair and member of the DNC committee, believes Burns’s voice will be influential. He described the filmmaker as a trusted storyteller whose clarity and authority command attention.
