AUSTIN — Democrats teed up South Carolina to lead a six-state gauntlet of early presidential contests, sealing a 2028 roadmap that pushes Black and Latino voters and labor to the front of the line for choosing the party’s next national leader.After discussions Saturday in Texas, the Democratic National Committee formally anointed South Carolina, with its large African American primary electorate, as the first-in-the-nation state.It will be followed by Nevada, with high numbers of Latinos and powerful labor interests.
Next up are New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and then Virginia.Add to GoogleSouth Carolina to hold first Democratic 2028 primary04:03As it did in 2024, when then President Joe Biden initially sought re-election, the party committee apparatus put aside its decades-long tradition of kicking off the fight for presidential nominations in Iowa and New Hampshire.
The DNC’s early timetable is dispensing entirely with Iowa following its disastrous 2020 caucuses, when issues tallying the votes led to delays and confusion.Party leaders in New Hampshire, traditionally the first-in-the-nation primary state, and Iowa, long the site of first-in-the-nation caucuses, opposed the move.
The new calendar would launch the early series of contests in six states from late January through the end of February, after which other states could hold their primaries, too.South Carolina’s primary is to be held on Jan.
22, 2028, Nevada’s on Feb.1, New Hampshire’s on Feb.
8, New Mexico’s on Feb.15, Michigan’s on Feb.
22 and Virginia’s on Feb.29.“Our 2028 nominee, whoever they are, will have to earn the support across the full breadth of America.
Every region, every demographic, every generation,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in his opening remarks to committee members on Saturday.“No shortcuts.
No coronation.You want to lead this party? Go earn it.
Go and earn it.” Martin’s words come as the party is still reckoning with ...