Democrats keep South Carolina first in 2028 primary calendar
What's next: The full Democratic National Committee still must approve the 2028 nominating lineup at its August meeting.
The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to keep South Carolina as the party's first 2028 presidential nominating contest, extending a break from the old Iowa-first tradition. The move still requires approval from the full DNC in August.
South Carolina and Nevada had been the leading contenders for the opening slot. Supporters of South Carolina argued the state offers candidates an early test with Black voters, a core Democratic constituency. The broader calendar fight reflects Democrats' push to give more influence to states that better reflect the party's racial diversity after years of starting with Iowa and New Hampshire, which have overwhelmingly white electorates.