Democratic Party Debates Primary Calendar for 2028

A debate is underway within the Democratic Party over which state should vote first in the 2028 presidential primary. South Carolina, with its large Black population, and Nevada, with its large Latino population, are the two states most likely to lead off the Democratic contest. The decision could help determine which candidates will have an early edge in the race for the party's nomination.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, an African American civil rights leader, released a statement saying South Carolina should remain first on the primary calendar. Christale Spain, the chair of South Carolina's Democratic Party, also argued that South Carolina should go first, saying it would be a mistake to elevate Nevada over South Carolina.

More than two dozen Latino leaders, including heads of groups such as Voto Latino and the Latino Victory Project, wrote to the DNC's rules panel urging it to pick Nevada to go first. They argued that Latino voters are driving growth of the electorate and that Nevada has significant Black, Asian, and Native American populations.

The debate is making some Democrats uncomfortable, with committee member Donna Brazile advocating for delaying the final vote until after the midterm elections. Daniele Monroe-Moreno, chair of Nevada's Democratic Party, said the decision should not be about one state over another, but about what is best for the party.