The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to designate South Carolina as the first state in the 2028 presidential nominating calendar. The decision, which requires full DNC approval in August, moves South Carolina to January 22, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia.
South Carolina Secures Lead-Off Position
In a significant shift from decades of party tradition, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has moved to cement South Carolina at the front of its 2028 presidential primary schedule. The rules committee voted 26 to 19 in favor of the move during a high-stakes meeting, effectively leaving Iowa—the traditional host of the first-in-the-nation caucuses—out of the early-state window entirely.
Proponents of the change argued that the new calendar better reflects the party’s core demographics. By prioritizing South Carolina, the DNC aims to elevate the influence of Black voters, who have historically acted as a crucial pillar of support for Democratic candidates.
Nevada’s Bid and the Coalition Debate
Nevada had mounted an aggressive campaign to secure the first-in-the-nation spot, highlighting its status as a general election battleground and its broad, diverse coalition of Latino, Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Native American voters. Despite falling short of the top spot, Nevada is slated to hold the second contest on February 1, 2028.
Daniele Monroe-Moreno, chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party, emphasized that the state remains a critical proving ground. 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,
she stated, according to Komonews.
Resistance from New Hampshire and Iowa
The committee’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from state parties that traditionally held early contests. New Hampshire officials, in particular, noted that state law mandates their primary remain the first in the nation, setting the stage for a potential legal or procedural clash with the national party.
“The Democratic National Committee’s decision today is wrong for Democrats, wrong for New Hampshire, and wrong for the country.”
Congressional leaders in New Hampshire, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, via AP News
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley stated that the committee’s vote does not change the statutory realities governing their primary. Similarly, Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, characterized the process as very messy
and argued that the national party is out of touch with voters,
as noted by AP News.
The 2028 Nominating Schedule
The proposed calendar, which the full DNC will review at its meeting in August, aims to provide more delegate opportunities before the Super Tuesday contests.
| Date | State |
|---|---|
| January 22 | South Carolina |
| February 1 | Nevada |
| February 8 | New Hampshire |
| February 15 | New Mexico |
| February 22 | Michigan |
| February 29 | Virginia |
DNC Chair Ken Martin defended the overhaul, stating that the 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,
per reporting from AP News.
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