COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democratic leaders from five southern states are advocating for South Carolina to be the first state to cast primary ballots in the 2028 presidential election. They argue that South Carolina represents a crucial starting point for candidates to build necessary coalitions. The state party chairs sent a letter to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) urging them to ensure South Carolina maintains its role as the first primary state, describing it as a 'moral and political compass' for the party and the nation.
The DNC is currently reviewing which states will lead off in the upcoming presidential primaries. Other southern states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, are also vying for this position. South Carolina chair Christale Spain is scheduled to present the state's case to the DNC.
The letter from the Democratic chairs of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia emphasizes the importance of South Carolina in the fight for voting rights, stating that any reduction in its primary role would undermine the party's commitment to diversity and inclusion. They assert that it would suggest to Southern Democrats and Black voters that their support is taken for granted.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, echoed these sentiments in a separate letter, stating that diminishing South Carolina's role would convey the wrong message to Black voters.
Historically, South Carolina has held one of the earliest Democratic primaries, serving as a significant indicator of a candidate's appeal to Black voters, who are a key demographic in the state's Democratic electorate. In the 2020 primaries, Joe Biden's strong performance in South Carolina was pivotal in revitalizing his campaign.
For the 2024 cycle, Biden supported a DNC initiative to prioritize South Carolina due to its diverse population compared to Iowa and New Hampshire. Despite New Hampshire's rejection of this plan, Biden won the state's primary through a write-in campaign. He also secured a victory in South Carolina during the 2024 contest.
The official primary calendar for 2028 will be finalized later this summer, but potential Democratic candidates have already begun campaigning in South Carolina.