New Hampshire will have the first presidential primary in 2024. And although a few dozen members of the Democratic National Committee calling themselves a “Rules Committee” have taken the first steps toward attempting to remove N.H. as the lead-off presidential primary, their effort won’t succeed.
Our primary is a role we have filled for over a hundred years, and is protected by our 1975 state law ensuring ours will indeed be first. We seek nor need permission from any political party or other state. Our taxpayers pay for our primary, so we can hold it whenever we want. We don’t want all the candidates’ time − we just invite them to visit for a while, make their case to us as we make our case to them, then they go to the larger states to continue their efforts. We offer our opinion on them, and then others make theirs.
I “get it” that our state is not as diverse in population makeup as some other states. But New Hampshire being the lead-off state for the presidential nominating process of both the Democratic and Republican parties for decades makes sense for other important reasons, including that we have the asset of smallness.
Unlike states much larger than ours where it is difficult for candidates to get around and meet voters, here they have a chance to get to know people on a personal level, not just high-powered contributors or the political elite. Upstart candidates without initial large nationwide support can run here without loads of dark money that more and more is corrupting the process. They meet us one-to-one, face-to-face, eye-to-eye, rather than glimpsing us over the top of a podium at a large event or hiding behind television studio cameras voicing words written by consultants and tested by focus groups. Think Eugene McCarthy. George McGovern. Jimmy Carter. Ronald Reagan. Gary Hart. Bill Clinton. Pat Buchanan. Bernie Sanders. John McCain. Barack Obama. Pete Buttigieg. Those who did well in our state were more interested in the Wednesday morning headlines about their success here and less interested in bowing to or seeking the favor of the politically powerful.
Because of our primary, we helped stop the Vietnam War. In 1968, a little known U.S. Senator, Eugene McCarthy, had a strong showing here and discouraged an incumbent president from running again. In 1972, another unknown U.S. Senator, George McGovern, ran against a Democratic Party establishment that wasn’t moving to stop that war. He won the nomination. It is because of that important influence of voters in a small state that I sponsored the law ensuring our lead-off status.
The action of the so-called Rules Committee of the DNC has already created chaos and havoc that would get much worse if it is actually put into practice. Candidates should be able to file for president where they wish, when they wish. Muzzling the voters of any states, or restricting and punishing candidates who want to run is not the kind of America most of us who are loyal Democrats ever expected our leaders would want. It could put the Democratic Party on a path to defeat, perhaps not just for 2024, and not only for the top office. Yes, New Hampshire will be first. Our Secretary of State will follow the 1975 state law requiring him to set our date “7 days or earlier” before any other. He will invite all candidates to have their names printed on our primary election ballot. Any political party attempting to disenfranchise voters, or to prohibit or punish candidates who run here, will be met with both dismay and disgust.
Our primary isn’t about us. It’s about democracy in its purest sense.
Note to the DNC: I’m optimistic you will reject this scheme. It would embarrass our president if he runs again. It will be a gift to Republican Party candidates as they speak about the way our party is trying to gag and disregard voters by shutting out potential candidates who want to stand up and speak out. Nor can you prevent our voters from supporting them. New Hampshire will stand firm.
Next Time: The “N.H. Voter Confidence Committee” Finalizes Its Report.
Jim Splaine has served variously since 1969 as Portsmouth assistant mayor, Police Commissioner, and School Board member, as well as N.H. state senator and representative. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com