Senate Democrat says DNC 'made a terrible decision' in trying to alter primary calendar

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) blasted the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Sunday for allowing South Carolina to be the first primary instead of New Hampshire.

“Well, what we're seeing on the ground in New Hampshire right now is the passion and commitment to democracy that is one of the hallmarks of our state,” Hassan said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“So even though the DNC made a terrible decision, we see strong energy for a write-in Joe Biden campaign, because Joe Biden has done what Independent voters in New Hampshire have asked, which is worked across the aisle to deliver important bipartisan results to the people of our country,” she added.

The DNC reshuffled its 2024 primary calendar to make South Carolina the first-in-the-nation primary, which will be followed by New Hampshire and Nevada. President Biden will not appear on the New Hampshire ballot under the DNC’s guidance, but a coalition of voters have launched a write-in campaign for the sitting president to ensure he still wins the state.

The New Hampshire Democratic primary will not overall affect the numbers needed for the Democratic nomination because it violates the DNC’s rules. Democratic challengers Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and author Marianne Williamson will appear on the ballot, but they are still polling significantly behind Biden.

Hassan emphasized that there is “huge energy” for a write-in campaign for Biden despite the DNC’s decision.

“So, at the end of the day, that's what the choice is and that's what New Hampshire Democrats know, and that's why we're seeing really good energy on the ground for a write-in campaign,” Hassan said.