US Democratic National Committee: South Carolina Leads 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar

• The Democratic National Committee has approved a new primary calendar for the 2028 US presidential election, pushing Iowa from its traditional top spot and making South Carolina the leadoff state.
• Black and Latino voters and union members will have an early say in the nomination process under the new calendar.
• New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia will also be among the early states, with Nevada following closely behind.
• The new calendar is designed to give candidates a better chance of winning back the White House after Republican President Donald Trump's second term.

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The Democratic National Committee has approved a new primary calendar for the 2028 US presidential election. The lineup pushes Iowa from its traditional top spot and makes South Carolina the leadoff state, voting on January 22, 2028. This change gives Black and Latino voters and union members an early say in the nomination process. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia will also be among the early states, with Nevada following closely behind. The new calendar is designed to give candidates a better chance of winning back the White House after Republican President Donald Trump's second term.

The Democratic National Committee has the authority to set its own primary calendar under party rules. However, the decision to change the lineup from Iowa to South Carolina and Nevada was not without controversy. Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, expressed concerns that bypassing her state would sideline important voter voices and give a political edge to Republicans. The new calendar is seen as an effort to make the nomination process more representative of the country's diverse population.

The new primary calendar has significant implications for Democratic candidates, particularly those seeking to appeal to key voter groups such as Black and Latino communities, union members, and rural voters. Candidates will need to campaign early and effectively in these states to prove themselves and build momentum. As party strategist Karen Finney noted, 'Whoever survives will be battle-tested.' The new calendar is also seen as a way for the Democratic Party to win back the White House after Republican President Donald Trump's second term.

Lawyers advising Democratic candidates should watch for the practical implications of this new primary calendar, including the need to campaign early among key voter groups such as Black and Latino communities, union members, and rural voters.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service