States Compete for Early Spots in Democratic Presidential Primary

As the Democratic Party gears up for the 2028 presidential election, various states are vying for key positions on the primary calendar.

During their summer meeting last month, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) took initial steps to decide which states will lead off the early nomination contests.

Changes initiated by former President Biden allowed South Carolina to hold the first primary in 2024. However, leading DNC officials emphasize that all options are open for the 2028 schedule.

“The DNC is dedicated to establishing a thorough, fair, and clear process for the 2028 primary calendar,” said spokesman Abhilaman. “All states will have the chance to participate.”

Discussions about the new calendar have been reigniting lately, especially as candidates prepare for upcoming nominations. The DNC is likely to undergo significant changes as it restructures its primary schedule.

At the summer meeting, key Democrats laid out initial steps that the influential rules and bylaws committee will take in shaping the early primary elections.

Co-chair Minion Moore announced plans to “discuss and implement solutions that will formally outline the state’s process to transition into the early windows for 2028.”

DNC Chairman Ken Martin noted that numerous meetings will occur between this fall and early spring.

“The DNC is exploring various options for its 2028 presidential primary schedule,” stated Jane Kleeb, DNC vice-chair and president of the State Democratic Association. “Voters, whether in rural or urban areas, want to ensure that the primary calendar effectively prepares candidates for the general election.” She added that the current calendar has strong merits, and they look forward to further discussions.

Cleeve recently mentioned to NBC News that the calendar in 2028 will “absolutely” reflect past decisions.

As discussions progress, several states are claiming prime positions. Iowa and New Hampshire are looking to regain their places in the early primary lineup after Biden’s successful push for South Carolina’s earlier position in 2024, a nod to his significant victory there in 2020.

Both of these states are poised to present challenges for the Democratic Party. Iowa Democrats are circulating surveys to gauge public opinion on their role in the early nomination process, contemplating whether the DNC will accept their proposed changes or adhere to the existing schedule.

“There’s a strong desire to make things right,” one Iowa activist remarked.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire’s laws mandate the state to hold the first primary, which led to a defiance of the DNC-approved calendar in 2024. If New Hampshire were to be sidelined again, a similar situation may arise.

“New Hampshire’s hands-on political culture is essential for the next Democratic candidate to effectively compete, and it has repeatedly proven that candidates are given a fair chance,” stated New Hampshire Democratic Chairman Ray Buckley.

Nevada Democrats, after missing an opportunity to secure an early spot in the last presidential cycle, are now advocating for their state’s diversity and working-class support to be recognized as a key factor in this reshuffle.

A recent memo emphasized that if Democrats aim to win national elections again, promoting Nevada as the first primary for 2028 would be beneficial. “Our state provides a balanced platform for demonstrating candidates’ capacity to engage diverse voters,” the memo affirmed.

The changes in 2024, driven by Biden, marked a significant departure from tradition by placing South Carolina ahead of both New Hampshire and Iowa.

The 2024 calendar ranked New Hampshire and Nevada as the second states, followed by Georgia and Michigan; however, Georgia faced difficulties aligning with the DNC schedule, resulting in its exclusion from the early window.

Jaime Harrison, a former DNC chair and South Carolina native, mentioned his commitment to keeping South Carolina as the first state. While Biden’s campaign cleared the primary field last year, the upcoming race is expected to be much more competitive.

“We believe South Carolina deserves to be recognized as the first open and competitive primary in the nation,” Harrison stated.

Other states, like Georgia and Michigan, are also watching their positions in the early lineup closely.

As calendar meetings are set to continue into the spring, clarity on potential changes may take some time. The rules and bylaws committee will cast votes on new proposals before they are presented to the full DNC.

Harrison anticipates that Martin and the team will aim for an “offensive timeline,” ensuring voters understand the primary structure and its implications before the 2028 campaign intensifies.

“Every four years, the DNC reviews the previous primary cycle to evaluate what worked and what didn’t, making adjustments for improvement,” Harrison concluded.