CONCORD - During a period featuring two key contests in New Hampshire with potential to influence majorities in Congress, the Democratic National Committee chose to overlook years of established practice by assigning the opening presidential primary to South Carolina instead.

The panel advanced South Carolina's primary date ahead of New Hampshire's in a decisive tally on Friday, repeating a step taken four years earlier at the urging of then-President Joe Biden after his weaker showing in the Granite State contest that year.

The prior shift produced mixed results and did not fully achieve the goal of giving a more diverse electorate the initial voice in selecting the nominee.

Iowa kept its early caucus in 2024, yet delays left results unclear for more than a week.

New Hampshire moved its primary earlier than South Carolina's in 2024 and featured a write-in effort for Biden, who prevailed easily before exiting the race later following a poor debate performance against President Donald Trump.

Reaction across New Hampshire came quickly from both parties, given the stakes for Democrats seeking to flip the State House and Republicans aiming to capture the state's congressional seats in November.

State Democratic Chair Raymond Buckley criticized the Rules and Bylaws Committee action, which still requires full national committee approval next month.

"Today's vote shows that many party insiders have learned nothing from 2024. New Hampshire has a proven track record of testing our candidates with a rigorous, fair, and efficient process, yet those qualities did not prevail," he said. "This committee's vote does not change the realities governing New Hampshire's primary, which are beyond the control of both this committee and our state party."

The New Hampshire Presidential Primary date is set by the Secretary of State under state law requiring it to precede similar events elsewhere by at least one week.

Former Secretary of State Bill Gardner often waited for other states to finalize dates before locking in New Hampshire's slot to preserve its lead position.

Buckley cautioned that elevating South Carolina could affect Democratic prospects in the state's midterm races.

"Democrats' guiding North Star should be winning general elections, and New Hampshire Democrats will get back to work focusing on the 2026 elections and addressing the significant challenges facing America's overwhelmed working class," Buckley said. "Today's vote moves the party further away from that objective."

The state's Democratic congressional delegation issued a joint statement faulting the decision while highlighting New Hampshire's retail-politics tradition.

"The Democratic National Committee's decision today is wrong for Democrats, wrong for New Hampshire, and wrong for the country. New Hampshire's First in the Nation primary is a tested proving ground in a closely contested swing state that forges better candidates and better presidents - and despite what DNC insiders say, that hasn't changed," the four said. "As a state with highly engaged voters, we put candidates through their paces and thoroughly vet them. And our small size means that actually meeting and talking to voters takes precedence over super PACs or mega-donor-fueled campaigns."

The lawmakers pledged to continue supporting Democratic candidates this fall regardless of the committee vote.

"Regardless of today's vote, Granite Staters remain committed to the hard work of organizing and electing candidates who stand up for our Live Free or Die values."

Senator Shaheen is retiring, and Representative Pappas is pursuing the Senate nomination, leaving an open race for his House seat.

On the Republican side, former Senators John E. Sununu and Scott Brown are competing for the party's Senate nomination.

Republicans indicated they intend to hold the first primary in 2028 once dates are set.

Governor Kelly Ayotte labeled the move incorrect.

"The Democratic National Committee is completely wrong to disregard New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation primary," she said. "I fully support Secretary (David) Scanlan upholding state law that puts our primary first. We will not back down from defending New Hampshire's place in history, and I look forward to hosting the first primaries for both parties in 2028."

House Election Law Chairman Ross Berry and Majority Leader Jason Osborne said the DNC had again disregarded Granite State voters.

"For the second time this decade, the Democratic National Committee has turned their back on Granite Staters," said Chairman Berry. "The DNCs decision to give up on the First-in-the-Nation primary is disappointing, but not surprising considering that socialists and progressives are engaged in a mass exodus out of the Live Free or Die state."

Majority Leader Osborne added, "Democrats may have abandoned New Hampshire, but make no mistake. New Hampshire Republicans will vote first."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington also faulted the committee action.

"I'm deeply disappointed that the DNC overlooked the Granite State, to the detriment of not only New Hampshire but the entire country. New Hampshire is unmatched when it comes to preparing and vetting candidates, challenging them to earn the support of Granite Staters through face-to-face conversations with voters," she said. "Regardless of this outcome, our work to build a better, more affordable New Hampshire - where working families can get ahead - continues."

New Hampshire conducted its first presidential primary in 1916 and formalized the first-in-the-nation status in 1920 by aligning it with town meeting day on the second Tuesday in March.

Before 1952, voters chose convention delegates; afterward the ballot shifted to direct candidate selection.

The event attracts widespread media coverage as hopefuls meet voters in varied local settings and town halls.

Historic upsets include Gene McCarthy's strong 1968 showing that prompted President Lyndon Johnson to exit the race and John McCain's 2000 victory over George W. Bush.

The primary operates as semi-closed, allowing party members to participate while independents may select either party's ballot before reverting to independent status.

Independents form the largest voting bloc and frequently decide outcomes at every level.

Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.