Democrats gathering to give final approval to 2028 presidential primary calendar

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats are gathering to finalize their 2028 presidential primary calendar this week, setting the stage for a wide open contest to succeed President Donald Trump and chart a path ahead as the party’s voters oscillate between progressive and more moderate candidates. The Democratic National Committee is expected to vote at its summer meeting in Austin, Texas, on the new order that frontloads states with more diverse populations. The meeting comes ahead of bitterly contested midterm elections that will decide control of Congress later this year.

Democratic voters have delivered mixed messages on the direction they want to see the party go — backing candidates viewed as more left-wing as well as moderates in consequential primaries across several states. The group also is convening at a time of internal turmoil, with some members calling for DNC Chairman Ken Martin to be replaced. Critics have questioned Martin’s leadership decisions and the party’s fundraising, which lags well behind Republicans just months before the crucial midterms.

New calendar would cement South Carolina as 1st primary The party is expected to give final approval to a calendar that has South Carolina’s primary first on Jan. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia would round out the early states, voting throughout February. The overhaul shows Democrats’ effort to give greater influence to states reflecting the party’s coalition, particularly Black and Latino voters.

It follows years of a calendar led by Iowa and New Hampshire, two states with overwhelmingly white electorates. The proposed calendar would cement South Carolina at the start of the calendar, reflecting a change former President Joe Biden pushed for after that state revived his struggling 2020 campaign. South Carolina has long been the first Southern contest and has served as a key test of candidates’ support among Black voters.

Two traditional early states aren’t happy Iowa and New Hampshire officials have expressed disappointment with the decision after the early approval at a committee meeting in July. Rita Hart, the Iowa Democratic Party chair, said it was a sign the party is “out of touch with voters.” New Hampshire congressional leaders, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, said the decision was wrong for their state and the country.