PAWLEYS ISLAND, South Carolina — In a display reminiscent of a political rally from a bygone era, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear received a standing ovation from Georgetown County Democrats on Thursday night. As he worked the crowd with handshakes and photo opportunities, California Governor Gavin Newsom was busy packing standing-room-only venues during his two-day tour of rural counties last week. Meanwhile, California Representative Ro Khanna launched his multi-day outreach on Friday, tailoring his message to resonate with Black voters.
While the schedule for the 2028 Democratic primary is still in flux, it’s clear that South Carolina is positioning itself as a crucial player in the nomination process—regardless of whether it retains its coveted number-one status. Despite the allure of Iowa and New Hampshire drawing heavyweights, no state has witnessed as much political activity as this charming Southern locale.
Despite attributing their appearances to local invitations—Beshear, for instance, cited his son’s baseball tournament in Charleston—the implications for 2028 are unmistakable. These Democratic stalwarts are testing their campaign messages and preparing their strategies against both Republicans and former President Donald Trump, all while courting a vital demographic of influential voters.
“I’m out there trying to be a common ground, common sense, get-things-done type of messenger for this Democratic Party,” Beshear remarked to party officials in Charleston earlier that day. “I believe that with what we’re seeing coming out of Washington, D.C.—the cruelty and incompetence—the path forward is right there in front of us.”
Christy Waddil, a 67-year-old Democratic voter who eagerly awaited her moment to shake Beshear’s hand, expressed her enthusiasm about the potential candidates. However, she also acknowledged the weighty responsibility of being the first state in the presidential primary calendar: “We have our work cut out for us now.”
In June, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly made headlines by speaking at an anti-gun event in Charleston, commemorating the tragic anniversary of the Emanuel AME shooting. Earlier in May, Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Tim Walz of Minnesota mingled at state party events, sharing the spotlight with Rep. Jim Clyburn, the longstanding South Carolina power broker who played a pivotal role in Joe Biden’s nomination in 2020.
“It’s not a surprise,” Clyburn noted when asked about the influx of 2028 hopefuls in South Carolina nearly three years before the primary. “Why argue with success? If it ain’t broke, why fix it?”
South Carolina Democrats are acutely aware that their hold on the early primary position is precarious. Traditional frontrunners like Iowa and New Hampshire are eager to reclaim their dominance, while states like North Carolina and Georgia vie for a chance to take center stage. This is particularly relevant as a significant reshuffling occurs on a powerful panel within the Democratic National Committee (DNC) that influences the presidential nomination process.
“None of what those supposed candidates are doing right now is going to have any bearing on what the Rules and Bylaws Committee ultimately decides for the calendar,” cautioned Maria Cardona, a veteran member of the influential committee. “That may or may not include all of the states that are in the early calendar now.”
Democrats have not won South Carolina in a general election since 1976, with President Donald Trump securing the state by an impressive 18 points last year. This has prompted neighboring states to question whether they should take precedence in the primary lineup.
“[National Democrats] have a lot of mobility to get power back at the federal level by investing early in North Carolina,” asserted state party chair Anderson Clayton, eyeing an opportunity to eclipse South Carolina and secure one of the open at-large slots on the Rules and Bylaws Committee. “The future of the state of the Democratic Party also runs right through North Carolina too.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is slated to deliver the keynote address at North Carolina’s state party unity dinner on July 26, and state leaders are actively engaging Senators Kelly of Arizona and Cory Booker of New Jersey to schedule visits later this year.
However, rearranging the primary order is no simple feat. North Carolina is hamstrung by state law from adjusting its date, and changing this would require cooperation from the GOP-controlled legislature. DNC members have also emphasized the value of smaller states, allowing lesser-known candidates to cultivate their followings.
“The most powerful force in the universe is inertia, so South Carolina is probably the favorite to stay just because of that,” remarked an anonymous incoming committee member, reflecting on the internal dynamics. “Every state has a chance to be first, but I do think we have to come into this with a degree of realism.”
The DNC is striving for neutrality in the process. “The DNC is committed to running a fair, transparent, and rigorous process for the 2028 primary calendar. All states will have an opportunity to participate,” stated Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman.
Iowa Democrats are also gearing up to reclaim their traditional spot as the nation’s first presidential contest, particularly after Michigan took over that role in 2024. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart has indicated her intent to have “tough and direct conversations” with the party, despite the recent removal of Iowa’s only representative, Scott Brennan, from the Rules and Bylaws Committee.
Potential 2028 candidates are already making their rounds in the Hawkeye State, with figures such as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who held a town hall in Cedar Rapids in May, and Governor Walz, who visited in March. Former Japan Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and freshman Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego are also set to make appearances in the coming months.
New Hampshire Democrats, who clashed with top DNC officials last cycle, remain steadfast in their commitment to maintaining their state law that designates them as the first primary in the nation. Pritzker attended a significant state party dinner there in April.
“The potential candidates on the Democratic side and, to some extent, the Republican side are coming through New Hampshire,” remarked Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) during a brief interview.
The jockeying for position within the national party regarding early states is already in full swing. Party insiders are currently voting for open seats on the panel after DNC Chair Ken Martin appointed new members in recent weeks. Cardona emphasized that the committee’s goal is to ensure that the strongest and most electable candidate emerges from what is expected to be a crowded field. Discussions regarding the next presidential primary calendar are set to commence later this year, ramping up after the midterms.
South Carolina’s prominence in the primary calendar is a recognition of its significant Black electorate, historically viewed as the backbone of the Democratic Party. This is part of the rationale behind Khanna’s focus on outreach to Black voters in the state.
“I believe that’s critical for all the people who want to lead the Democratic Party, in whatever form, and to me it’s encouraging that people are going down to South Carolina,” Khanna explained in an interview.
Beshear echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of including Southern states in the primary calendar. “We need to make sure that the South is represented in the primary calendar,” he remarked, noting that “for too long, the investments haven’t been made in places like Kentucky and in places like South Carolina.”
In their defense of maintaining an early primary position, South Carolina Democrats are touting the state’s diverse electorate and affordable media markets, which could help to elevate the best presidential candidates—rather than merely the best fundraisers—in a wide-open race for 2028.
“The Democratic primary for president is not based on the state’s competitiveness in a general election,” argued Parmley. “This is the same nonsense that loses us presidential elections, and we only play in eight competitive states.”
Lisa Kashinsky and Kelly Garrity contributed to this report.
