The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted on July 24 to place South Carolina as the first state to hold the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, scheduled for January 22, 2028 [1, 2, 3]. South Carolina was chosen over Nevada, New Hampshire, and Iowa to lead the primary calendar [1, 2, 3]. The final calendar places Nevada second on February 1, followed by New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia in that order [1, 2, 3].

South Carolina first led the Democratic primary calendar in 2024, ending decades of Iowa and New Hampshire holding the initial contests [1, 2, 3]. The state has a racially diverse Democratic electorate with Black voters making up 76.5% of early voters in the 2024 primary, although Black residents account for about 25% of the state’s population overall [2]. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain said, "When South Carolina goes first... the Deep South goes first, Black voters go first. Black voters are the backbone of this party, and so we should continue to elevate Black voters’ role in the process, not push it further back" [2].

Congressman James Clyburn highlighted South Carolina’s advantages, noting the state’s "four distinct cultures, a relatively cheap media market, and demographics that reflect what our voter population needs to be in order for our candidates to be successful in the general election" [1]. DNC co-chair Minyon Moore called the calendar "rigorous, fair, and efficient," emphasizing South Carolina’s role, saying, "South Carolina will emerge as the first contest" [1, 3].

Nevada, which will hold the second primary, argued for its diverse electorate including Latino, Black, Asian American, and Pacific Islander voters as critical, especially following Republican gains there in 2024. Nevada Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno said, "When we go into the next presidential cycle, my state, the state of Nevada, is that coalition that we need to win back" [1].

The DNC’s full membership will hold a vote to confirm the 2028 primary calendar at a summer meeting in Austin, Texas, scheduled for August 2026 [1, 2, 3].

South Carolina’s January 22 primary kickoff officially sets the pace for the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating process.