Democrats zero in on Nevada and South Carolina to kick off 2028 presidential primary calendar
Democrats Target Nevada, South Carolina for 2028 Primary Start
Goldlaner.com – Democrats zero in on Nevada and South Carolina as the leading candidates to open the 2028 presidential primary calendar. Internal deliberations within the Democratic National Committee reveal that these two states have emerged as frontrunners for the coveted early positions. The Rules and Bylaws Committee is currently weighing which configuration best serves the party’s goals for the upcoming nomination cycle.
Competing for the Opening Spot
One anonymous committee member described the situation as nearly even, noting that the final decision will be challenging. The group is meeting in Washington this week to finalize recommendations, potentially selecting up to five states for the opening phase. This follows months of intense lobbying by various states hoping to secure favorable placement on the schedule.
“I have to say at this point it’s probably 50-50,” one Rules and Bylaws Committee member remarked. “This is going to be a tough one.”
The committee plans to present its recommendations to the full DNC as early as next month. According to insiders, two primary configurations are under serious consideration, both designed to balance representation among states with significant Black and Latino voter populations.
Two Potential Scenarios
The first option places Nevada at the forefront, followed by South Carolina, Michigan, New Hampshire, and potentially Virginia as the fifth state. The alternative arrangement would have South Carolina leading, with Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, and New Hampshire following in sequence.
Relocating New Mexico into the early window represents what one committee member characterized as a compensatory gesture toward Latino voters who might otherwise miss out on having their community represented in the opening primary. “I think that a lot of people are thinking about that kind of counterweight,” the source explained.
“If Nevada goes first, it’s a strategic decision for our party as we work to build a coalition that we know we need to build to win back the White House in 2028,” Nevada Democratic Party chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno told CNN. “Nevada is that proving ground for national candidates, period.”
Nevada’s Case for Primacy
Supporters of Nevada emphasize the state’s multicultural composition, robust union presence, and reputation as a competitive electoral battleground. They argue that the state’s electorate encompasses not only Latino voters but also Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Native American, and White working-class citizens.
Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and Representative Steven Horsford articulated this position in a Wednesday correspondence to committee members, stating that their advocacy focuses on representing a wide spectrum of voters rather than elevating any single demographic above others.
South Carolina’s Historical Edge
The New York Times initially highlighted both states as leading candidates for the opening positions. South Carolina gained prominence when former President Joe Biden successfully advocated for its placement as the first primary state during the 2024 cycle.
Advocates for maintaining South Carolina’s leading position point to recent challenges facing Black voters, including an unprecedented mid-cycle redistricting effort and the Supreme Court’s Callais ruling that diminished protections under the Voting Rights Act. They contend that preserving the state’s position would demonstrate the party’s commitment to voting rights.
“We’ve just been telling the history of South Carolina in this process, how our voters have always gotten it right,” said Christale Spain, the South Carolina Democratic Party chair and a Rules and Bylaws Committee member.
Additionally, South Carolina boasts a strong track record of selecting eventual Democratic nominees, most notably when it helped rescue Joe Biden’s campaign in 2020 after his initial struggles.
Remaining Uncertainty
While Nevada and South Carolina battle for the top two positions, the composition of the remaining slots remains less certain. One committee member described the situation as involving “about a billion computations,” noting personal preference for both states in the opening positions but acknowledging different configurations have been discussed.
Two additional sources, including another committee member and someone close to the panel’s deliberations, indicated that Virginia and New Mexico are likely vying for the fifth and final early window spot.
