Posted July 28, 2026 | by KimS | in 2028 Presidential, DemDaily, Democratic Party, DNC Chair Ken Martin, Presidential Primaries

DemDaily: 2028 Presidential: The Early Line Up

July 28, 2026

The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) on Friday voted to recommend a slate of six early window primary states to kick off the 2028 presidential nominating calendar -- awarding the lead slot to South Carolina.

The Palmetto State’s primary, scheduled for January 22, will be followed by Nevada (February 1), New Hampshire (February 8), New Mexico (February 15), Michigan (February 22) and Virginia (February 29).

The lengthy, painstaking and very public selection process -- including the final order of each state -- was driven by a foundational framework of core principles, and strategic political, demographic and geographic requirements, as well as practical cost and organizational considerations.

Presidential primary elections are run by state and local governments, while caucuses are private, in-person events that are run directly by the political parties themselves. All states run primaries with the exception of Iowa, Idaho and Wyoming and four territories that hold some form of caucus. A few other states operate under a hybrid model where one political party uses a caucus or convention while the other holds a traditional primary election.

Presidential primary elections are run by state and local governments, while caucuses are private, in-person events that are run directly by the political parties themselves. All states run primaries with the exception of Iowa, Idaho and Wyoming and four territories that hold some form of caucus. A few other states operate under a hybrid model where one political party uses a caucus or convention while the other holds a traditional primary election.

The choice of South Carolina, which delivered Joe Biden the 2024 Democratic nomination, is a nod to the importance of black voting power in the South.

It is also critical acknowledgment of the real-time disenfranchisement of minority voting rights and representation at the hands of the US Supreme Court's conservative majority in the Callais decision this year.

Black South Carolinians routinely comprise about 26%-28% of the general election vote, and account for an overwhelming 60% of the state's Democratic primary electorate.

The state's premier placement in the 2028 nominating calendar also shines an early and long overdue spotlight on the rural vote. According to the US Census Bureau, 32.1% of South Carolinians are classified as rural residents, and, by voting block, they account for 57% of the state's total voting electorate. Rural counties historically lead South Carolina in per-capita voter turnout.

Background
Under DNC rules, no state can hold a presidential primary or caucus before the first Tuesday in March, known as "Super Tuesday," when 16 States hold presidential primaries and caucuses. Four states, however, have traditionally been granted “waivers” to kick off the pre-primary window as representatives of each region of the country.

From the 2008 to 2020 presidential election cycle, the early Democratic primary states were Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.

For the 2024 presidential election, however, the DNC reshuffled the early primary window, giving preference to battleground states and those with diverse electorates, including ethnic, geographic and union representation.

Under the initial five-state schedule, South Carolina was moved to the front of the line, holding its primary on February 3, 2024, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan. Although South Carolina, Nevada and Michigan met party requirements to join the new lineup, Georgia, Iowa and New Hampshire, which are under state Republican control, faced legal obstacles to moving their primary dates.

Iowa, which is overwhelmingly white and has continued to trend Republican, was kicked to March 5, upending its coveted "first in the nation" caucus status -- held for five decades. While not eliminating caucuses, the 2024 shake-up of the process favored the 92% of states that conduct a primary.

The 2028 Early Primary Calendar
The 49-member RBC met monthly over the last year and held hearings in May to evaluate the formal bids from 12 competing battleground states. Their recommendation on the final six came after two days of public meetings last week.

DNC Chair Ken Martin praised the diligent work of the RBC and "their commitment to a fair and transparent selection process. As a result of their hard work, Democrats [have taken] a critical step toward retaking the White House in 2028 by ensuring we have the strongest possible nominee.”

* Geographic representation: The Committee chose at least one state from each of the DNC’s four geographic regions (East, Midwest, South, and West). Two additional states, New Mexico and Virginia, were granted early-window waivers to expand regional and demographic diversity.

* Battle-tested candidates: The early state lineup will serve as a rigorous battle test of aspiring presidential nominees and their performance in key battleground states, including Nevada and Michigan.

Contenders' viability will also be tested by a comprehensive range of diverse constituencies that are key to winning the presidency in 2028. The list, which elevates large populations of black and Latino voters in the South and Southwest, boasts the most ethnically disparate field in the Democratic Party's history.

New Hampshire, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Virginia feature swing voter populations and competitive downballot races.

* An Open Affordable Contest: The selection and order of the six states provides for an open and affordable contest that does not exhaust early resources and ensures the nominee is chosen by the voters, not because of their war chest or name recognition.

South Carolina offers an exceptionally high-value, low-cost media market compared to the rest of the United States, and the relatively inexpensive Reno media market serves the vast majority of Nevadans outside of the Las Vegas media market. Both South Carolina and New Hampshire are geographically compact states, making travel more affordable and accessible.

The RBC’s recommendation will now be put before the full Democratic National Committee for a vote at the DNC’s Summer meeting in Austin, Texas, August 12-15.

Retail Politics: On the rigorous test of presidential candidates over the five-week early window, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Crystal Spain said on MSNow, "That's what the early window does -- battle-test our candidates and set them up for success. These people will need to learn how to listen and talk to black voters and Latino voters and Native Americans and the unions. All these people, they're going to have to learn how to do that so they can mobilize them in November. That is how we're going to win back the White House in November and also reestablish the power of the Democratic Party on the national stage."

Retail Politics: On the rigorous test of presidential candidates over the five-week early window, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Crystal Spain said on MSNow, "That's what the early window does -- battle-test our candidates and set them up for success. These people will need to learn how to listen and talk to black voters and Latino voters and Native Americans and the unions. All these people, they're going to have to learn how to do that so they can mobilize them in November. That is how we're going to win back the White House in November and also reestablish the power of the Democratic Party on the national stage."

The Contenders
Although the "Invisible Primary" -- when presidential candidates begin their informal campaigning -- does not begin until after the 2026 midterms, a dozen potential contenders have already visited battleground and early voting states to test the waters. Tomorrow: The Contenders