Electoral systems

DNC Sets 2028 Primary Calendar, South Carolina Goes First

Is this a bold step toward diversity or a costly mistake that abandons the Midwest?

4 hours ago·Updated 2 hours ago

DNC Sets 2028 Primary Calendar, South Carolina Goes First

Story

Above: Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin on May 29. Image credit: Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

This is exactly what the party needs. South Carolina going first forces candidates to earn support from Black voters, Latino voters and union members who are the backbone of Democratic victories. A calendar that reflects America's diversity is a smarter path to the White House than one dominated by nearly all-white electorates.

John W. McCarthy on X

Robert Garcia on X MS Now

Narrative B

This calendar abandons the Midwest entirely and also lessens the power of New Hampshire, which features a small, purple-state model that uniquely forces candidates to earn votes face-to-face, a rigor no shortcut can replace. Excluding Iowa also hands Republicans a giant media advantage when they hold their own first-in-the-nation caucus there in 2028.

KIMT News 3 NH Democratic Party

Republican narrative

This undemocratic decision to draw a calendar that favors voters who meet a certain demographic and that the party believes are more important is going to create more Democratic infighting — and it's an absolute opening for the GOP. Putting in the fix for an establishment candidate will likely further damage the party and leave an opening for Republicans.

Gina Beana Fofina on X

Jonathon Pryce on X