In Democratic fundraiser held in New Hampshire, no talk of first-in-nation primary
Democrats say they're focused on November, rather than primary fight
Democrats say they're focused on November, rather than primary fight
Democrats say they're focused on November, rather than primary fight
As Democrats gathered over the weekend for a major fundraiser in New Hampshire, one topic notably didn't come up: The first-in-the-nation primary.
If there was a chance for New Hampshire Democrats to take a public stand for the primary, Saturday night might have been it. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was on hand, drawing national attention.
But there was no rousing defense of New Hampshire's century-old tradition and not even a polite rebuke of the Democratic National Committee's re-examination of the early state voting order.
"The fight, really, now, is November," said Ray Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "The best thing we can do to preserve the first-in-the-nation primary is to make sure we uphold our tradition of having thoughtful voters."
The process of setting the primary calendar always involves some behind-the-scenes intrigue, but analyst Scott Spradling said it's a new development this cycle to see so little open struggle.
"It is a bit rare, and my sense is, if I was to climb into the strategy unit of Ray Buckley and the Democratic Party, I would think that they're keeping their powder dry," Spradling said.
Republicans have already affirmed their 2024 calendar with no changes. They said defending the primary is a test of will that shows who really wants to stick up for the Granite State.
"It is a tradition that's over 100 years old here in New Hampshire, and it is what we represent, and they are not in office representing and defending New Hampshire," said Steve Stepanek, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
The future of the primary is a looming question that won't be answered until after the election. U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, who is running for re-election in November, rejected the idea that her party isn't fighting hard enough.
"We have made our case openly and loudly at the DNC, and that, I believe, was livestreamed," Hassan said. "But, look, I will always fight for the first-in-the-nation primary. We make better candidates, we make better presidents, it was our idea to begin with, and we're always going to go first."