DNC Panel Recommends South Carolina as First 2028 Presidential Primary

The Democratic National Committee panel voted 26 to 19 on Friday to keep South Carolina at the front of the party’s early-state schedule, a position it first held in the 2024 cycle. The proposed 2028 calendar expands the early-voting window from five contests to six, placing South Carolina on January 22, 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.

DNC Committee Vote and Regional Power Struggles

The committee’s recommendation concludes months of lobbying by state party leaders vying for early-state influence. Nevada finished second with 19 votes, while New Hampshire received four. The full Democratic National Committee is scheduled to consider the proposed slate at its August meeting in Austin, Texas.

Proponents of the South Carolina primary argued that the state serves as an essential showcase for Black voters, whom party figures describe as the backbone of the Democratic coalition. The South is not the past, it is the future, said South Carolina Democratic Party chair Christale Spain, as reported by CNN. And if we are serious about changing this country, Democrats have to start winning in the South.

Supporters of Nevada’s bid emphasized the state’s status as a competitive general election battleground with a diverse electorate that includes Latino, Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Native American, and white working-class voters. Daniele Monroe-Moreno, chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party, argued that the state remains a critical testing ground for presidential hopefuls.

“Nevada is the broad coalition of diverse voices—Latino, Black, AANHPI, and Native American as well as white working-class voters—our party must win back if we’re serious about flipping the White House in 2028.”

Daniele Monroe-Moreno, chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party

Friction With New Hampshire and Iowa Party Leaders

The overhaul drew immediate backlash from traditional early-voting states. Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, called the decision very messy and argued that the national organization is out of touch with voters, according to AP News. Iowa, which has historically led both parties’ calendars with caucuses, finds itself entirely excluded from the early window.

In New Hampshire, where state law mandates holding a primary at least seven days before any comparable contest, officials condemned the vote. A group of New Hampshire congressional leaders, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, also issued a joint statement labeling the move wrong for Democrats, wrong for New Hampshire, and wrong for the country, as noted by AP News.

Strategic Goals and the Expanded Delegate Gauntlet

Defending the calendar changes, DNC Chair Ken Martin asserted that the schedule would test candidates across broad demographics. This calendar will battle test our candidates, ensure our nominee can appeal to broad swaths of the electorate and this calendar will allow voters, not money, but voters to be the ultimate decider, Martin said, according to AP News.

Not all strategists endorsed the final map. Nonetheless, supporters of the six-state early window argue that the expanded lineup will require candidates to navigate a demanding primary gauntlet before reaching Super Tuesday on March 7.