New Hampshire Newsmakers of the Year 2005: First in the Nation Primary

For decades, many have questioned New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status, arguing the state is too small, too white, and not representative of the country as a whole. This year the challenge came from Democrats, led by the state of Michigan. The party formed a committee to revisit their primary and caucus schedules. Its report came out in December, and the results- which recommend adding several state caucuses before New Hampshire- look like the biggest threat to the New Hampshire primary yet.

The first-in-the-nation primary is one of New Hampshire's most famous events, and the challenge to its future is a 2005 Newsmaker of the Year.