Dem Panel Taps South Carolina for First 2028 Primary

The Democratic National Committee's Rules & Bylaws panel voted Friday to preliminarily select South Carolina to hold the first presidential primary of 2028, a decision that came after a contentious, racially charged debate. The panel chose the Palmetto State over Nevada and New Hampshire, citing the importance of Black voters—the party's most loyal constituency. The vote, which must be ratified by the full DNC, positions South Carolina to again lead off the Democratic nominating calendar, following its first-in-the-nation status in 2024, a change championed by President Joe Biden.

The Vote and Its Context

The panel's decision was narrow: 26 members supported South Carolina, 19 backed Nevada, and 4 favored New Hampshire. The outcome reflects deep divisions within the party over representation and influence. Historically, Iowa and New Hampshire held the first caucus and primary, but after the 2020 cycle, Biden successfully pushed to elevate South Carolina, a more diverse state, to the top. The debate over the 2028 calendar exposed tensions across race, ideology, and region—pitting Black Democrats against Latino Democrats, and progressives against moderates.

A Debate Over Loyalty and Representation

Supporters of South Carolina argued that Black voters, who form a large share of the Democratic base, deserve the first say in choosing the nominee. The Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights leader, said publicly that “to turn around now and push South Carolina to the back of the line would be a slap in the face to the very voters who've kept this party alive.” Christale Spain, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, echoed that sentiment, telling The New York Times that elevating Nevada over South Carolina would signal that Latino voters matter more than Black voters. “I refuse to believe that our party wants to send any type of message like that,” she said.

On the other side, Latino leaders and some progressives pushed for Nevada, citing its large Latino electorate and working-class voters—both critical to Democratic success. They argued that the first primary should reflect the party's coalition. Nevada also courted supporters by emphasizing its status as a swing state and its experience with early voting.

Factors That Tipped the Scales

Several Democrats on the panel cited the Supreme Court’s recent weakening of the Voting Rights Act as a reason to support South Carolina, viewing the state as a test of candidates’ commitment to Black voters. Spain also noted that South Carolina gained support from former backers of New Hampshire in the final hours, and that more were ready to switch if needed. “I think once folks start thinking about that and realizing, I think that it probably did help some folks,” she said, referring to the optics of bypassing Black voters.

Inside the meeting, emotions ran high. Some members made impassioned speeches about history and loyalty. One panel member reportedly became so emotional that they had to pause.

What Comes Next

While the panel's recommendation is a strong signal, the full DNC must still vote to ratify the 2028 primary calendar. Nevada and New Hampshire may continue to lobby for changes, and the party could face further debate over the order of subsequent states. For now, South Carolina Democrats are celebrating a victory they see as a validation of Black voters’ centrality to the party. The next presidential primary cycle is still years away, but the decision sets the stage for how candidates will campaign—and which voters they will court first.