DNC sets 2028 primary calendar, South Carolina goes first

politicsAug 16, 202654641

The Democratic National Committee voted to make South Carolina the first contest in the 2028 presidential primary calendar, formally placing its primary on January 22, 2028. The DNC set a six-state early window that follows with Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22 and Virginia on February 29. Party officials said the lineup elevates states with large Black and Latino electorates and strong labor presences, with DNC Chair Ken Martin saying the nominee will have to earn support “across the full breadth of America.” The move displaces Iowa from the early lineup after problems with its 2020 caucuses and overrules objections from New Hampshire and Iowa party leaders. The calendar runs from late January through the end of February, after which other states may schedule their primaries. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart criticized the change, warning that losing first-in-the-nation status leaves no Midwestern state among the initial four contests. The decision follows party debates about 2024, when then-Vice President Kamala Harris became the nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew late in the race, a sequence some leaders said discouraged a broader nominating contest.

Phil Lewis

@phillewis.bsky.social

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats approve a 2028 presidential primary calendar that leads off with South Carolina, followed by Nevada.

26412h ago

Jadeabliss - 🪷 “No one let go of anyone’s hand.”🪷30

For those who are curious about this: Moving up SC and NV is a way to better reflect the party's deeply diverse electorate. Concern was Iowa is fairly homogeneous and not as representative of the base of the party.

Nefarious Means22

The howling from our white "allies" is going to be off the charts.

Razzball19

Jim Clyburn locking in, lasers shooting from eyes, speaks in a low rumble, "Democrats"

Midnight Oil15

Switching Iowa, which theoretically at least could go Blue in a mega wave year, out with South Carolina, which won't go blue for fifty years is a choice....

thepissedoldlady.bsky.social14

Y'all quit yer bitchin' and get behind Dr. Annie Andrews @drannieandrews.com ! Do you really want Lindsey's sister in that seat???

“The Well Read Bonnet” 🖕🏽🤷🏽‍♀️8

Will you people shut up and quit pretending like you don’t know why you are mad. Most Black Americans live in the SOUTH. Which one of these states has a strong Black electorate? SC, NV, NH, MI or VA Why do we have to wait to have our voices heard until MI? Your internalized dominance is showing!

Quoting this

Pierce39

A lot of ignorant & frankly racist reactions to this beyond expected whining from the 2 super white states when this is just a good decision that’s far more reflective of the party’s base & overall diversity. I hope the DSCC & DCCC also pay more mind to these states. Frankly the DLGA & DGA too.

Kacey32537

As per usual, white folks are telling on themselves in the thread. As per usual, Black folks are seeing it all and taking notes. 📝

Jesse20

if it were me I would probably start off with a state that a Democrat has won since 1976 but that’s why I’m not making James Carville money

Big Lord Bunny18

Testing candidate viability with your core voting bases >>>>>>>>>>>>

Darth J.D.10

Everyone complaining about why SC and “there are blacks other places” miss the fact that SC has been a far better predictor of the winner for Democratic Primary due entirely to the Black population there.

RassyVille6196

The Blacks to Iowa and New Hampshire:

Nat is in the valley of the shadow of death3

Should all be the same day, just like the general election has to be on the same day throughout the country. The framers had good reason to put that in the constitution, and I suspect they’d have said the same for primaries if they’d known they were going to be a thing.

⚜️TYRANT Madame⚜️2

Ohhhhhh the whites will NOT be happy about this. The Blacks™️ & Latinos get to go first

Robert Garcia

@robertgarcia.bsky.social

Congrats to the DNC for selecting a primary calendar that reflects the diversity of America. And let’s be clear: Black voters, especially Black women, have always been our most loyal and dedicated voters. South Carolina deserves to go first.

1849h ago

freedug2

Honestly, could've got the same demo by doing NC 1st, but a much bluer state

Aaron Huertas

@aaronhuertas.bsky.social

New calendar is such an improvement. SC on 1/22 then Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia. Would like to see these switch up each cycle and keep an emphasis on smaller swing states from previous cycles. www.politico.com/news/2026/08...

6010h ago

Aaron Huertas7

My bong rip idea remains a semi-randomly selected set of precincts that grow in size as the primary progresses, allowing for demographically representative near door-to-door campaigning, but that's obviously not how the party is organized.

Dante Atkins

@danteatkins.bsky.social

There's a very specific reason that can't happen. In the vast majority of states, state legislatures set the date of the presidential primary. Republicans run Georgia and won't do the DNC any favors. In SC, law allows state parties to set the date. So that's why South Carolina has its place.

4811h ago

David Darmofal

@daviddarmofal.bsky.social

Really boorish behavior from Rita Hart, head of the Iowa Democratic Party, & Ray Buckley, head of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, that, frankly, comes across as racist, objecting to South Carolina going first & their lily-white states either not being an early state or not going first.

2111h ago

Mayor Q

@mayorq.bsky.social

Addressing @democrats.org today in Austin on an eventful day. As we look to a new primary calendar in 2028, we remember why we work: for our children; our families; our seniors; our immigrant sisters and brothers. We fight for an affordable, safe, and better life for all.

159h ago

ljconrad

@ljconrad.bsky.social

🎁🔗: Democrats Reshape 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar, and Put South Carolina First www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/u...

73h ago

#TuckFrump

@realtuckfrumper.bsky.social

DNC gives final approval of 2028 primary calendar starting in South Carolina #TheHill https://twp.ai/9OZ3QX

412h ago

Heidi Li Feldman

@heidilifeldman.bsky.social

#NewMexico will play a big role in 2028. First though it must play a big role in 2026. 1/ www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n... #NMlovesDemocracy

46h ago

Veronica 🇺🇸 🇮🇹 🇺🇦 🇳🇴 🇲🇽 🇩🇪 🇨🇦 🍁 🇸🇪 🇵🇷

@vero1986.bsky.social

Democrats keep South Carolina first, emphasizing diversity in early primaries Democrats again chose South Carolina to lead the 2028 primary calendar, saying the lineup better reflects the nation’s racial diversity. www.ksby.com/politics/ame...

410h ago

DM Skywalker

@dmskywalker.bsky.social

Yeah. The DNC has again revealed they’re stupider than fuck. New Hampshire WILL hold the first 2028 primaries. This makes Dems look like they don’t understand LITTERALLY the first thing about politics. Literally the. First. And now they’re obligated to lie to black voters for the next two years.

49h ago

Alex Witt Reports

@alexwittreports.bsky.social

MS NOW Political Analyst Matthew Bartlett and Michael Hardaway, former Communications Director for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries join Alex Witt to discuss the state of the midterms and the buildup to the 2028 presidential primary season. www.ms.now/weekends-wit...

29h ago

NBC10 Philadelphia

@nbcphiladelphia.com

The Democratic presidential primary in 2028 will replace Iowa with South Carolina as the first state to vote, the party announced Saturday. on.nbc10.com/Ijn2YIj

210h ago

Matt

@mattmurph24.bsky.social

Folks better start preparing for Trump to run again in 2028. A replay of the 2020 Dem primary will result in a 3rd term.

42h ago

Timothy McBride

@mcbridetd.bsky.social

Democrats finalize 2028 calendar that moves racially diverse states to the front www.politico.com/news/2026/08...

14h ago

3 sources

nytimes.comDemocrats Make South Carolina the First Contest in 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar (Gift Article)nbcnews.comDemocrats officially set their 2028 primary calendar, with South Carolina going first thehill.comDNC gives final approval of 2028 primary calendar starting in South Carolina

DNC sets 2028 primary calendar, South Carolina goes firstpolitics

DNC sets 2028 primary calendar, South Carolina goes first

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