Governor Hassan's Statement on 2016 First In The Nation Primary

Press Release

Following today's vote by the Democratic National Committee to schedule New Hampshire's First In The Nation Primary on February 9, 2016, and 11 days before the Nevada primary, Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement:

"As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the New Hampshire presidential primary, I applaud the Democratic National Committee for protecting our First In The Nation Primary status in 2016, with ample time separating it from the Iowa caucus and Nevada primary.

"New Hampshire is well known across the country for our vibrant civic society, and our First In The Nation presidential primary is a quintessential Granite State tradition that reflects our critical role in American democracy. We have long been the initial proving ground for presidential hopefuls because Granite Staters were the first to truly recognize that direct citizen involvement in the nomination process makes for better presidential candidates and better presidents.

"I want to especially thank my fellow Granite State-members on the Democratic National Committee -- Chairman Ray Buckley, Peter Burling, Joanne Dowdell, Senator Martha Fuller Clark and Kathy Sullivan -- for their efforts to preserve this important tradition, as well as Secretary of State Bill Gardner, who is the most ardent champion for New Hampshire's First In The Nation presidential primary."

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