Democrats set to lock in 2028 primary calendar with diverse early states
Democrats are expected to approve a 2028 primary calendar that prioritizes diverse states, starting with South Carolina.
The Democratic National Committee is meeting in Austin, Texas, this week to give final approval to its 2028 presidential primary calendar. The vote is expected to cement a new order that places states with more diverse populations at the front of the nominating contest, a shift from the traditional lead-off roles of Iowa and New Hampshire.
The proposed schedule puts South Carolina's primary first on January 22, followed by Nevada on February 1. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia would complete the early window, with contests spread through February. The change reflects an effort to give greater influence to Black and Latino voters, key parts of the party's coalition, and follows a push by former President Joe Biden after South Carolina revived his 2020 campaign.
The decision has drawn criticism from officials in Iowa and New Hampshire. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the move shows the party is "out of touch with voters." New Hampshire's congressional delegation, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, called the decision wrong for their state and the country. New Hampshire law requires its primary to be held at least seven days before any other similar contest, which could create a conflict with the DNC's calendar.
The meeting comes as Democrats face internal divisions over the party's direction. Recent primaries in states like Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have shown voters split between progressive challengers and more moderate candidates backed by party leaders. Republicans have sought to paint Democrats as moving too far left, while also dealing with their own challenges around inflation and the president's approval ratings.
Leadership and finances are also on the agenda. Some members have called for replacing DNC Chairman Ken Martin, citing fundraising struggles. The DNC reported about $16 million cash on hand and more than $18 million in debt in its latest filing, while the Republican National Committee reported nearly $129 million in cash. Martin is not expected to be replaced before the midterms, but a leadership change could come at the DNC's winter meeting after November's elections.
Republicans have yet to finalize their own 2028 calendar and are expected to keep Iowa and New Hampshire at the start of their process.