Democrats have taken a significant step toward positioning South Carolina as the inaugural state for their 2028 presidential primary contests, a move that could provide former Vice President Kamala Harris with a substantial early advantage should she pursue a third White House bid. The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws panel voted 26-19 to grant South Carolina the first primary position, followed by Nevada and New Hampshire. The full Democratic National Committee is expected to approve this decision next month, which would formalize the 2028 calendar.
This shift reflects a broader push among Democratic activists in recent years to prioritize more diverse states in the early nominating contests, moving away from the predominantly white electorates of Iowa and New Hampshire. President Joe Biden had previously advocated for South Carolina to lead the calendar in 2024, citing his pivotal 2020 primary victory there, which he credited with propelling his eventual nomination. The state's diverse electorate, particularly its significant Black voting population, is seen as potentially favorable to Harris, who is the first woman of color to hold the office of Vice President.
Earlier on Friday, the committee also designated six states to hold early primary contests, with Michigan, New Mexico, and Virginia joining the top three vote-getters. All six states are scheduled to hold their nominating contests before Super Tuesday, a day when numerous states vote simultaneously, giving them considerable influence in shaping the field of Democratic presidential candidates.
In contrast, the Republican party has yet to finalize its 2028 calendar but is anticipated to maintain its traditional sequence of early states, beginning with the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.