South Carolina has been preliminarily selected to hold the first Democratic presidential primary of 2028, according to a decision made by a key panel of party leaders on Friday. This selection was made over Nevada following a debate that highlighted racial and ideological divisions within the party.
The Democratic National Committee's Rules & Bylaws panel's decision must be ratified by the full DNC. Proponents of South Carolina's selection argue that the state's large Black population, which represents a significant portion of the party's voter base, deserves the opportunity to influence the nomination process first.
The debate revealed tensions among various factions within the party, including Black and Latino Democrats, as well as progressives and moderates from different regions. Latino leaders had advocated for Nevada to be the first state to vote, emphasizing its substantial Latino and working-class populations.
Members of the rules panel noted that South Carolina's diverse demographics and smaller size would allow Democratic candidates to compete without the need for extensive advertising budgets. Prior to the decision, South Carolina and Nevada were closely matched in the selection process.
In the lead-up to the committee's decision, South Carolina Democrats expressed concerns that failing to select their state would alienate Black voters. The state had previously led the primary season in 2024 after an initiative by then-President Biden. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton stated that not selecting South Carolina would be a disservice to the voters who support the party.
Christale Spain, chair of South Carolina's Democratic Party, emphasized that prioritizing Nevada over South Carolina would send a negative message to Black voters. The decision may also benefit former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is reportedly considering a third presidential run and is popular among Black voters.
Looking ahead, New Hampshire and possibly Iowa may attempt to hold their contests despite the Democratic panel's decision. New Hampshire's state law mandates that it must hold the first primary, and some Iowa Democrats have indicated they may organize an unapproved caucus to maintain their early status in the primary calendar. However, the Democratic Party has implemented strict penalties for states that do not adhere to the established primary schedule.