DNC Makes South Carolina First on 2028 Primary Calendar

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has formally approved a new order of states for the 2028 presidential nominating contests, placing South Carolina at the front of the calendar. The decision was finalized during the party's summer meeting in Austin, Texas, on Saturday.

The move codifies an earlier recommendation from the DNC's Rules & Bylaws Committee. Following South Carolina, the order will proceed with Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia.

Party officials argue that the new sequence will allow candidates to be tested in a way that keeps the field open and affordable. DNC Chair Ken Martin said the calendar reflects the party's values and will help Democrats reclaim the White House in 2028.

The first state to vote in a primary season often carries outsized influence, shaping the field by attracting campaign spending and media scrutiny. Several potential Democratic contenders have already made visits to South Carolina in recent months, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The selection process was not without contention. South Carolina and Nevada competed for the top spot, a rivalry seen as a proxy for influence between the party's Black and Latino voter bases.

This is not the first time South Carolina has led the calendar. In 2022, President Joe Biden pushed for a similar overhaul ahead of the 2024 cycle. New Hampshire, which had traditionally voted first, defied the national party that year and held its primary in January anyway. The DNC responded by refusing to seat delegates chosen in that contest.