The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws panel picked South Carolina as the party's first presidential primary state for 2028 on Friday, choosing to keep the Palmetto State at the front of the nominating calendar after an intense lobbying battle with Nevada over which voting bloc deserves the most attention from White House hopefuls.
The vote in Washington came after months of competition between states seeking a prime position that offers candidates early visibility and influence over the party's nomination process. South Carolina's win means Black voters, a core Democratic constituency, will again have the first say in choosing the party's nominee, following the same structure used in 2024 when President Joe Biden won his final nomination.
South Carolina would hold its primary on Jan. 22, 2028, with Nevada going second on Feb. 1, New Hampshire third on Feb. 8, New Mexico fourth on Feb. 15, Michigan fifth on Feb. 22, and Virginia sixth on Feb. 29. The full DNC membership will vote on the calendar at its summer meeting in Austin, Texas next month.
What the Left Is Saying
South Carolina supporters argued that the party must reaffirm its commitment to Black voters amid ongoing challenges to voting rights. Supporters pointed to the Supreme Court's recent ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act and ongoing redistricting battles as reasons why the party should prioritize a state where Black residents represent a crucial part of the Democratic base.
"South Carolina will emerge as the first contest," said Minyon Moore, co-chair of the Rules and Bylaws Committee. The panel's decision reflects years of effort by national Democrats to elevate diverse states in the early calendar after long using Iowa and New Hampshire, which have predominantly white populations with few major urban areas.
DNC Chair Ken Martin defended the proposed calendar as a test that will strengthen the party. "Because of this calendar, our candidates will be tested," he said. "Because of this process, millions more Americans will be heard. Because of this committee, our party is and will be stronger."
Nevada allies pushed for their state, citing its diverse electorate of Latino, Black, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and working-class voters as the ideal proving ground for Democratic candidates. They argued that outreach to Latino voters should take priority given the 2024 election results when President Donald Trump and Republicans made significant gains with that demographic.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans noted that the debate itself highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party over which minority groups deserve preferential treatment in the primary process. Some conservative commentators argued that the decision prioritizes identity politics over winning general elections, particularly given Trump's improved performance with Latino voters in 2024.
The Republican National Committee is expected to announce its own 2028 calendar separately, with the GOP traditionally adhering to Iowa and New Hampshire for their first contests. The split calendars mean Democratic and Republican candidates could be campaigning in different states during the early primary season.
Some Republicans also pointed to the DNC's harsh penalties for rogue states as a sign of internal party tension. Under the proposed rules, states that hold unsanctioned primaries would face severe delegate penalties, and candidates who campaign in those contests could be barred from the nomination process. The strict enforcement comes after New Hampshire held its primary first in 2024 despite DNC rules placing it second, leading to a temporary ban on the state's delegates.
What the Numbers Show
South Carolina's Black population stands at approximately 27% according to U.S. Census data, making it one of the most diverse states among those seeking early calendar positions. Nevada's Latino population is roughly 29%, while New Hampshire is over 90% white and Iowa is more than 85% white.
The proposed 2028 calendar includes six states in what the DNC calls its "early voting window": South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, Virginia, and New Mexico. The remaining states would hold primaries starting on Super Tuesday or later. This structure allows these six states to hold contests before most of the country while preventing them from dominating the nomination process.
New Hampshire state law requires the Granite State to hold the first presidential primary a week ahead of any similar contest, creating potential conflict with DNC rules. In 2024, New Hampshire held its primary on Jan. 23 despite being placed second by the party, resulting in an unsanctioned Democratic contest that excluded South Carolina and Nevada delegates from the summer convention until tensions were later resolved.
The Bottom Line
The decision solidifies South Carolina's role as a gateway to the Democratic nomination for the third consecutive cycle, following Biden's 2020 comeback victory there and his renomination in 2024. The state has become increasingly important to Democrats since Nevada and South Carolina were added near the top of the calendar two decades ago to increase diversity among early-voting states.
The proposal now goes to the full DNC membership for final approval next month, where it could face additional debate over penalties for rogue states and concerns about New Hampshire's legal requirement that conflicts with party rules. If approved as written, the 2028 calendar would begin just after the new year with South Carolina holding its primary on Jan. 22.