South Carolina to hold first 2028 Democratic presidential primary

South Carolina will host the first official Democratic presidential primary in 2028, following a vote by the Democratic National Committee to approve a new nominating calendar. The decision aims to better reflect the party's diverse coalition of voters, particularly Black and Latino communities, by shifting influence away from predominantly White states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

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If you're not strong with Latino voters or if you're not strong with Black voters, you know you can only get so far in this calendar.

The new schedule begins with South Carolina on January 22, followed by Nevada on February 1. Other early states include New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia. Democratic strategists believe this calendar will give greater weight to the voices of minority voters, with one strategist noting that success will depend on strength with these demographics.

However, the change has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders in Iowa and New Hampshire. They argue that their states have historically played a crucial role in vetting presidential candidates and that the new calendar diminishes this responsibility. New Hampshire's congressional delegation stated that their state's "First in the Nation primary is a tested proving ground" that forges better candidates.

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New Hampshire's First in the Nation primary is a tested proving ground in a closely contested swing state that forges better candidates and better presidents, and despite what DNC insiders say, that hasn't changed.

The move to elevate South Carolina follows its pivotal role in the 2020 primary, where a victory there revived Joe Biden's campaign after poor showings in earlier states. The DNC had previously moved South Carolina to first for the 2024 calendar, though New Hampshire defied the party and held its primary first, leading to its contest being stripped of its sanctioned status.

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As a state with highly engaged voters, we put candidates through their paces and thoroughly vet them. And our small size means that actually meeting and talking to voters takes precedence over super PACs or mega-donor-fueled campaigns.