The Democratic National Committee has officially set a new six-state early primary schedule for 2028, moving away from the traditional Iowa and New Hampshire lead-off contests.
Key facts
- •The 2028 Democratic primary calendar begins with South Carolina on January 22 and concludes the early series with Virginia on February 29.
- •The DNC's new schedule excludes Iowa, which had historically held the first-in-the-nation caucuses.
- •DNC Chair Ken Martin stated the new calendar aims to ensure candidates earn support across all demographics and regions.
- •New Hampshire officials cited a state law requiring them to hold their primary first, but the DNC stated it is not bound by such laws.
- •Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart argued that the loss of early status could disadvantage Democrats in upcoming general elections.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has formally selected South Carolina to lead its 2028 presidential primary calendar. The decision establishes a six-state early contest sequence that includes Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia. This move continues the party's shift away from the decades-long tradition of starting the nominating process in Iowa and New Hampshire, aiming to prioritize states with more diverse electorates.
By the numbers
New Primary Schedule and Rationale
The 2028 early primary series will take place between late January and the end of February. South Carolina is scheduled for January 22, followed by Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22, and Virginia on February 29. DNC Chair Ken Martin stated that the new calendar is designed to ensure candidates earn support across diverse demographics and regions. The DNC opted to remove Iowa from the early lineup following issues during its 2020 caucuses. The party previously moved to elevate South Carolina during the 2024 cycle, a change originally championed by then-President Joe Biden, whose 2020 candidacy was bolstered by a win in the state.
Opposition from State Party Leaders
Leaders in Iowa and New Hampshire have expressed opposition to the new calendar. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart noted that the change leaves no Midwestern state in the first four contests and argued that Republicans will gain an advantage by continuing to hold their primaries in Iowa. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley called the decision disappointing, citing a state law that requires New Hampshire to hold its primary before other states. The DNC maintains it is not bound by individual state laws regarding the calendar.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NBC Politics.
