Democrats Designate South Carolina to Lead 2028 Primaries

In a decisive move, Democrats have chosen South Carolina to lead a series of six early presidential contests for 2028. This decision places an emphasis on Black and Latino voters, as well as labor interests. Following discussions in Texas, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) officially named South Carolina as the first state in line, with its large African American primary electorate. Nevada, known for its Latino population and significant labor influence, will follow.

After these, the sequence continues with New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and concludes with Virginia. This marks a departure from a longstanding tradition of beginning the nomination process in Iowa and New Hampshire. The change is rooted in the difficulties faced during Iowa’s 2020 caucuses, which were plagued by vote tallying issues.

Opposition to the new schedule came from party leaders in New Hampshire and Iowa, who have traditionally held the first primary and caucus spots, respectively. The DNC plans to space these initial contests from late January to the end of February. Following this, other states may hold their primaries. South Carolina’s primary is set for January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22, and Virginia on February 29.

Our 2028 nominee, whoever they are, will have to earn the support across the full breadth of America. Every region, every demographic, every generation, said Ken Martin, Chair of the DNC, during his remarks.

This decision reflects ongoing internal deliberations since Vice President Kamala Harris quickly took the nomination in 2024 after President Joe Biden stepped aside amidst public concerns about his age. Following difficulties in a live debate, Biden’s support dwindled, leading to Harris becoming the nominee without a competitive contest. The subsequent loss prompted leaders to question why more contenders were not allowed to compete.

President Biden originally chose South Carolina as an early primary state, recognizing its pivotal role in reviving his 2020 campaign during a challenging period after poor performances in Iowa and New Hampshire. However, other candidates similarly faltered in South Carolina, failing to capture the support of Black voters. This positioned the party to reassess the impact of predominantly white states leading the nomination process for a diverse voter base.

Rita Hart, Iowa Democratic Party Chair, voiced her objections to the new primary calendar. She noted that Iowa losing its traditional status means no Midwestern state would be among the first four in the primary lineup. Hart pointed out that Republicans would continue to hold their primaries in Iowa. She argued this gives them an advantage in the lead-up to national elections, potentially influencing congressional and Senate races.