The Democratic National Committee’s Rules & Bylaws Committee on Friday endorsed South Carolina’s bid to remain the first state to hold a presidential primary in the 2028 nominating calendar, prevailing over Nevada in a 26-19 vote. The outcome follows two days of often bitter debate that underscored tensions between state leaders representing Black and Latino party constituencies.
Committee members heard robust arguments from both states. South Carolina’s case rested on its large Black electorate, a voting bloc the party regards as central to its national coalition. Nevada’s campaign emphasized its substantial Latino population and described itself as a crucial presidential battleground with a strong blue-collar union presence, constituencies it said Democrats must engage more vigorously going forward.
The contest took on greater significance because the first state to vote in a nominating contest typically helps shape the candidate field, drawing campaign spending and media attention. That dynamic was central to both pitches and to the intensity of the debate, which at times was acrimonious and included late-night lobbying by party leaders on Thursday.
For context within recent party calendar changes, in 2022 then-President Joe Biden persuaded Democrats to reorder the 2024 nominating schedule, ending Iowa’s first-in-the-nation role and placing South Carolina at the front, with Nevada moved to second place. The committee’s close vote on Friday reflects continued contention over which states should have the earliest influence over the nomination process.
Party officials said the full DNC is likely to ratify the committee’s decision at a meeting in August. Until that formal approval, the decision remains subject to final party processes, although the committee vote gives South Carolina a clear advantage in securing the earliest spot.
Observers noted the competition effectively became a proxy fight between the party’s Black and Latino bases, exposing early internal divisions as Democrats prepare for the 2028 fight over who will become the party’s White House nominee. The vote margin was narrow, and the debate’s tone reflected the stakes both states attached to winning first-in-the-calendar status.
Ultimately, the committee’s backing of South Carolina ensures the state with the larger Black electorate remains the opening test for Democratic hopefuls in 2028, while Nevada retains a prominent place in the sequence but falls short of capturing the top slot.