States Line Up for a Shot at the 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar
A battleground is brewing as at least six states have thrown their hats into the ring to secure a coveted spot in the early nominating window for the 2028 Democratic presidential campaign. This contest is shaping up to be anything but civil, with states eager to claim their influence over the primary calendar.
The usual contenders—New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, and Michigan—are all back in play, as confirmed by their state parties. Iowa, having been sidelined four years ago, is attempting a comeback, and Georgia has also expressed its interest.
Virginia and North Carolina are reportedly weighing their options for application, as indicated by several sources familiar with the discussions, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. With a deadline looming, other states could potentially join the fray before the cutoff, although the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has remained tight-lipped about the current applicant list.
The order in which states appear on the presidential nominating calendar will significantly influence how Democratic candidates strategize for what promises to be a wide-open primary. Candidates will need to make calculations about which states to prioritize, where to deploy staff, and how to allocate campaign funds—factors that have historically dictated the trajectory of primary races. Not surprisingly, there’s no shortage of opinions among Democrats about how this should unfold.
“The day after the 2026 midterms, the race will be on, so we need to establish the timeline,” said Jay Parmley, executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party. “Candidates could start gearing up and putting staff in place earlier than ever before.”
The journey to finalize this calendar could extend well into 2026. Members of the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, tasked with determining the calendar, are expected to narrow down the list of applicants during their meeting on January 31, as per accounts from DNC members who requested anonymity for candid discussions.
States will then be invited to present their cases to the committee in the spring, with expectations that the calendar will be finalized by summer and voted on during the DNC’s August meeting. However, this timeline is subject to change and could slip further into 2026.
Efforts to revamp the presidential nominating calendar began in 2022 following Iowa’s chaotic 2020 caucuses and criticisms regarding the lack of racial diversity in the early states. Then-President Joe Biden, anticipating a potentially uneventful primary, shifted South Carolina to an earlier position, eliminated Iowa, and added Michigan to the mix.
Now, DNC officials have committed to starting from scratch, aiming for representation from all four regions of the U.S., along with possibly an additional state, to vote before Super Tuesday. DNC members have also underscored the importance of racial and geographic diversity, the cost-effectiveness for lesser-known candidates, and the overall electoral competitiveness of the states.
“The early states should be swing states,” asserted Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. “The resources we invest during the primary will pay dividends in the general election.”
This has reignited two distinct battles: for some states, the goal is merely to gain entry into the early window; for others, it’s a fight for the top spot. Think Iowa, Michigan, and Georgia—each vying for a coveted invitation to the early window extravaganza. Iowa and Michigan want to reclaim their former glory, while Georgia is pushing to be included for the first time.
However, Georgia faces a more complicated path. With Democrats lacking control of the governorship and the legislature, they will need bipartisan cooperation to advance their primary date if selected. Yet, Georgia Democrats remain optimistic about their ability to adjust the date.
“Even with a Republican governor after the 2026 election, history shows that Republicans also have a vested interest in moving their primary earlier,” stated Charlie Bailey, chair of the Georgia Democratic Party. “All the logic suggests that Republicans would want to make that change for their own reasons.”
The second camp—comprising Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina—is adamant about securing the influential first slot. Nevada has been particularly vigorous in lobbying DNC members, while New Hampshire circulated a memo last fall emphasizing that they will not rely solely on tradition to maintain their first-in-the-nation status.
South Carolina, having been elevated to the prestigious first official position by Biden, is also keen to hold onto its spot. (It’s worth noting that New Hampshire still conducted its primary first in 2024, despite the DNC’s threats, due to state law.)
“We hope to maintain our position, but we will respect the Rules and Bylaws Committee’s decision, even if we are disappointed,” remarked Parmley from South Carolina.
In a statement, RBC Co-chairs Jim Roosevelt and Minyon Moore conveyed their commitment: “The Rules and Bylaws Committee is dedicated to conducting a thorough, efficient, and fair process that will yield the strongest presidential nominee for our party. We look forward to continuing our work as the committee begins evaluating state applications for the early window of the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating process.”
Samuel Benson contributed to this report. A version of this article first appeared in POLITICO Pro’s Morning Score. Interested in receiving the newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro for daily policy news and insights on the most pressing stories.
