COLUMBIA, S.C. — New Hampshire has announced it will now host the first round of primary voting, ahead of South Carolina, which had the landmark decision earlier this year to be the first state to hold a primary.
An optimistic outlook on the South Carolina primary from Democrat Party chair Christian Spain.
It comes just hours after party representatives learned New Hampshire would be leap-frogging South Carolina and hosting its Democratic primary a week for the Palmetto state.
She says, "I think it's going to increase the energy in South Carolina because it's historic, it's monumental."
In February the DNC chose to move the first primaries from New Hampshire and Iowa to South Carolina.
"South Carolina is a buffet when it comes to politics, both on the democrats and the Republican side. Since 1992, every candidate who's won South Carolina has gone on to be the Democratic party's nominee, with one exception."
Antjuan Seawright a political strategist says he wasn't surprised when hearing the news about New Hampshire, as the state's constitution says they must hold their primary a week before any others.
"Sadly we're having this discussion today because people may not necessarily want to play by the rules."
University of South Carolina political professor Chase Meyer says this won't change the fact that South Carolina is the *official* host of the first primary, and expects some punishments to be handed out in New Hampshire.
"I really don't see this affecting South Carolina a ton here, because the big question is 'How will the candidates respond?' Joe Biden and his campaign have made it clear they're not even going to be on the ballot in New Hampshire," says Meyer.
"The Democratic party has already given strong indications that they will punish New Hampshire. Thus New Hampshire primary, whoever wins it, may not be awarded any delegates, or delegates they are awarded would be significantly reduced," said Crystal Spain the SC Democratic party chairman.
Spains says her team is still gearing up for an exciting 2024 presidential campaign, regardless of the primary.
She says, "It's a tremendous honor so we are definitely going to do everything we can to engage our voters and mobilize them to go and vote on February 3rd."
Meyer says the New Hampshire decision won't have any impact on South Carolina hosting its Republican primary.
