Democrats approved South Carolina as the first state in their 2028 presidential primary calendar, followed by five early states.
AUSTIN, UNITED STATES.— The Democratic National Committee approved South Carolina as the opening state in its 2028 presidential nominating calendar on Saturday, completing a major decision over which voters will have the earliest influence on the party's next White House contest.
The DNC approved a six-state early window beginning with South Carolina on January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia on separate dates through February.
The six-state Democratic calendar
The party's approved sequence places Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22 and Virginia on February 29, according to the DNC.
The decision follows an extended debate about geography, racial and demographic representation, competitiveness and the practical demands of running early presidential contests.
Reuters and the Associated Press reported that party officials viewed the selected states as offering a broader mix of Black, Latino, union and other constituencies than an early calendar centered predominantly on the traditional Iowa-New Hampshire sequence.
Why South Carolina's position matters
Early states can shape fundraising, media coverage and perceptions of candidate viability long before most Americans vote.
The 2028 calendar does not determine who will seek the Democratic nomination, and the political environment could change substantially before voting begins.
What happens next
State parties must now prepare to comply with the approved calendar and national party rules.
Potential 2028 candidates will also have to decide how heavily to invest in each early state once the field begins to take shape.
By Daniel Harper | Senior Political Correspondent | CRN Times
Editorial Supervision: Eleanor Whitfield, Editor-in-Chief | CRN Times
More from Politics
View all in this section- Loading related stories…