The Democratic National Committee (DNC) finds itself at a crossroads this week as party leaders, officials, and activists gather in Minneapolis for a pivotal three-day summer meeting. The event, beginning August 25, 2025, comes at a moment of deep uncertainty for the Democratic Party, which is grappling with internal divisions, fundraising woes, and the difficult task of charting a path forward after a bruising loss in the last election cycle.
At the heart of the discussions is a contentious debate over the party’s presidential primary calendar for 2028—specifically, whether New Hampshire will retain its storied first-in-the-nation primary status. According to WMUR and AP reporting, the DNC’s efforts to potentially reorder the primary sequence have reignited tensions with New Hampshire officials, who fiercely defend their state’s tradition of leading the nominating process. The issue is expected to be one of the hottest topics at the Minneapolis meeting, with both sides digging in for what could become a drawn-out battle.
Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party and a vocal defender of the state’s primary, is in Minneapolis to make his case. “It’s a state that takes its rules seriously, and the voters engage the candidates, a state that insists that their candidates show up and have conversations in their living rooms from one end of the state to the other. In those measures, New Hampshire certainly checks all those boxes,” Buckley told WMUR. The state’s constitution requires its primary to be held at least a week before any other state’s contest, making it nearly impossible for the DNC to shift the calendar without a major confrontation.
Political analyst Scott Spradling echoed Buckley’s confidence, telling WMUR, “As a pragmatic exercise, the DNC has no literal control over New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary. We’re small enough, we’re nimble enough, and we’ve shown before we can change states and vote quickly, if need be.” The message is clear: New Hampshire isn’t backing down, and the DNC faces an uphill battle if it hopes to shake up the calendar.
This standoff is unfolding against a backdrop of broader challenges for the Democratic Party. Ken Martin, the relatively new DNC chairman, is under intense pressure to unify the party, rebuild its brand, and mount a credible opposition to President Donald Trump, who reclaimed the White House and helped Republicans seize control of Congress last fall. Martin, who took the reins in February 2025, is just six months into his tenure and already facing what many describe as the fight of his political life.
“I think the greatest divide right now in our party, frankly, is not ideological,” Martin told AP. “The greatest divide is those people who are standing up and fighting and those who are sitting on the sidelines.” He added, “We’re using every single lever of power we have to take the fight to Donald Trump.”
Yet, the challenges go far beyond rhetoric. The party’s fundraising has taken a significant hit, with the latest federal filings showing just $14 million in cash on hand at the end of July—its lowest level in at least five years. In stark contrast, the Republican National Committee boasts $84 million. This financial disparity has fueled anxiety within the DNC, with some members privately considering a vote of no confidence against Martin due to the lackluster fundraising. However, as AP reports, that effort fizzled after Martin’s critics failed to muster enough support among the more than 400 elected officials and party members nationwide.
Martin remains publicly optimistic, insisting that the party is making “record investments” in state parties and that turning to small-dollar donors has helped offset the burnout among big contributors. “Money will not be the ultimate determinant in this (midterm) election,” Martin told AP. “We’ve been making investments, record investments, in our state parties. … We have the money to operate. We’re not in a bad position.” His predecessor, Jaime Harrison, offered historical perspective, saying, “These are just the normal pains of being a Democrat when we don’t have the White House. Ken is finding his footing.”
But the money woes are only part of the story. The DNC is also struggling with a murky party message, internal fragmentation over issues like the Israel-Hamas war, and a drifting base—especially among working-class voters and young people. The Minneapolis meeting is expected to see heated debate over competing resolutions regarding the conflict in Gaza. One proposal, reviewed by AP, would have the DNC encourage Democratic members of Congress to suspend military aid to Israel, establish an arms embargo, and recognize Palestine as a country. It also highlights the loss of over 60,000 lives and the displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians “at the hands of the Israeli government.”
In contrast, a competing resolution from Martin and DNC leadership adds more context about Israel’s challenges, referencing “the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis” and the number of Israelis killed in Hamas’ October 7 attack. Martin’s version calls for a two-state solution but omits references to Palestinian casualty figures or calls for an end to military aid. These competing visions underscore the party’s struggle to balance its diverse coalition and avoid public splits that could further erode support.
Another resolution on the table would reaffirm the DNC’s commitment to “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI)—a stance that has become increasingly contentious as Republicans attack such programs as “woke” policies. Many Democrats, businesses, and educational institutions have distanced themselves from DEI initiatives in recent months, making the DNC’s position a potential flashpoint for debate.
Looking ahead, the DNC is also beginning the long process of determining the 2028 presidential primary calendar. While the final decision likely won’t come until 2027, the Minneapolis meeting will feature at least three presidential prospects—Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz—as featured speakers. The Rules and Bylaws committee is expected to outline the selection process, and Martin has signaled openness to changes from the 2024 calendar, which controversially began in South Carolina, sidelining traditional openers Iowa and New Hampshire. Iowa Democrats have already threatened to go rogue if excluded again, raising the stakes for the DNC’s deliberations.
Buckley, ever the optimist, expects at least half a dozen presidential hopefuls to visit New Hampshire before the end of the year. The state’s unique approach—demanding retail politics and face-to-face engagement—remains a point of pride for its leaders and voters alike.
As the Democratic Party wrestles with questions about its identity, strategy, and future, the Minneapolis meeting serves as both a crucible and a crossroads. There are no easy answers, but the debates unfolding this week will shape the party’s direction for years to come.
