Party Divides Deepen as Democrats Battle Over 2028 Primary Calendar

The Democratic Party is currently under pressure to establish its presidential primary calendar for the year 2028, according to reliable sources from Politico.

Expected contenders have reportedly started to make appearances in states known for early voting, including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, and Michigan. The importance of the calendar for these potential candidates should not be overlooked, “Candidates are going to be strategic, and the calendar is a big factor for them,” as stated by Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., a member of the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee.

Advocates for states that vote early in the primaries are due to meet with DNC members at the national party’s summer meeting in Minnesota this week. Despite the urgency exhibited by the candidates, the DNC has stated that work to establish the primary calendar has not yet begun, and discussions will commence later this year.

In the year 2022, President Joe Biden altered the order of the primary calendar, favouring South Carolina as the first state. This move dethroned the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire. Nevertheless, New Hampshire, driven by its state law mandating it hosts the nation’s first primary, held its own unsanctioned primary.

During the same year, the DNC evaluated dozens of states with a focus on achieving regional, geographic, and racial diversity, simultaneously prioritising battleground states with less expensive media markets. This development follows earlier reports of New Hampshire’s unwavering commitment to maintaining its first-in-the-nation status, which resulted in continued visits from Democrats, including Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Rep. Ro Khanna of California.

There are differing opinions. Democrats in Nevada advocate for their state to be the first, citing its racially and ethnically diverse electorate and large unionised workforce. On the other hand, South Carolina Democrats argue their state should retain its first-in-the-nation primary status due to its small size and significant percentage of Black voters.

These conflicting views raise important questions about the final configuration of the 2028 Democratic primary calendar. This decision could potentially impact the party’s strategy and the candidates’ campaigns. As we currently understand, the discussions and debates on this matter are yet to occur.

As the deliberations progress and the 2028 primary calendar takes shape, we will continue to bring you the latest developments.