South Carolina Democrats will fight to keep 'first in the nation' primary status in 2028

Source: NBC News

July 27, 2025, 5:00 AM EDT


COLUMBIA, S.C. — Three years before 2028, the outlines of the next presidential race are already growing clearer, with large fields of potential primary candidates in both parties already making early moves. But one big thing is very much unclear for Democrats: which state will vote first when the primaries start.

The 2024 election was the first in almost two decades that saw major change to the top of the Democratic primary calendar, booting Iowa — the longtime first-in-the-nation caucus — and sliding South Carolina’s primary to the fore, challenging New Hampshire’s traditional leading role.

The moves came amid discontent with Iowa Democrats’ messy 2020 caucuses and recognition of the role Black voters play in the Democratic Party — and with heavy influence over the party from then-President Joe Biden, whose South Carolina primary win in 2020 set him on the path to the White House.

In South Carolina, which was tapped to host the Democrats’ first sanctioned primary for the first time in 2024, state Democrats are adamant they will be first in line on the primary calendar again in 2028.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/south-carolina-democrats-will-fight-keep-first-nation-primary-status-2-rcna218914