In New Hampshire, Ken Burns, a prominent filmmaker known for his historical documentaries, strongly advocated for the restoration of his home state's role as the first primary in the Democratic National Committee's 2028 presidential framework. New Hampshire historically held this crucial position for both political parties for a century until the DNC altered the primary schedule, placing South Carolina ahead of New Hampshire in the last presidential race. The DNC's shift was influenced by the desire to incorporate more diversity into the early primary states, as New Hampshire and Iowa are criticized for their lack of representation. Despite this setback, Burns emphasized the significance of grassroots political engagement in New Hampshire, arguing that it uniquely embodies citizen-led democracy. His remarks were delivered through a letter to the DNC's Rules & Bylaws Committee before the group's meeting in Puerto Rico to discuss the scheduling of early primary states. In his letter, Burns highlighted that New Hampshire's primary offers a platform where everyday citizens can have their voices heard, further stressing that this engagement is essential for the sustenance of American democracy. Longtime New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley supported Burns' perspective, pointing out the filmmaker's respected status as an American storyteller. In recent political climates, the DNC has been working towards a more representative set of early nominating contests, as they assess applications from 12 states seeking to hold early primaries, including New Hampshire, Iowa, and several others in a push to modernize their approach. The importance of selecting appropriate states for early primaries has become even more crucial for the party, especially after the challenges the DNC faced in the previous election cycle, which was marked by a contentious and chaotic calendar.