South Carolina Democrats plan to defend their 'first in line' presidential primary standing during the 2028 election cycle

The race for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary is shaping up to be a hotly contested one, with South Carolina and New Hampshire vying for the coveted first-in-the-nation spot.

Four Democratic governors, senators, and former Biden administration officials have visited South Carolina and New Hampshire this year and in 2025, acknowledging that Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina will likely lead the party's nominating process in 2028.

This development comes after the 2024 presidential primary calendar saw changes, with Iowa being booted from the top spot, and South Carolina's primary being moved forward, challenging New Hampshire's traditional leading role. In response, South Carolina Democrats, led by Jaime Harrison, the former chair of the DNC and the South Carolina Democratic Party, argue that South Carolina deserves the first-in-the-nation spotlight in an open race after Biden's potential re-election in 2024.

New Hampshire, however, is not backing down. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley has noted a state law that dictates New Hampshire must hold first-in-the-nation primaries one week before any subsequent party primary elsewhere. In 2024, New Hampshire bucked the national Democratic Party's new calendar, holding its primary ahead of South Carolina's despite threats from the DNC. The DNC eventually voted to allow New Hampshire to send its Democratic delegates to the convention in Chicago.

The DNC is committed to running a fair, transparent, and rigorous process for the 2028 primary calendar. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin has stated that if the primary calendar changes, it should be open, transparent, rigorous, efficient, and fair. No states have officially stepped forward with a bid to take over South Carolina's first-in-the-nation status on the Democratic presidential calendar.

South Carolina is considered a "proven testing ground" with a diverse range of Democratic voters. It's a significant advantage for candidates, as the primary provides an early opportunity to gauge the support of a broad electorate.

The primary is still far away, and any changes to the calendar will be initiated by the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee. Despite this, South Carolina Democratic officials, including Jaime Harrison, plan to fight to stay first in the 2028 primary. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley has been dismissive of the DNC's calendar changes, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the race.

In the 2024 primary, Biden won the New Hampshire primary as a write-in candidate. This victory, combined with the state's staunch tradition of holding the first primary, makes New Hampshire a formidable contender. However, South Carolina's appeal as a diverse, representative state could tip the scales in its favour.

As the 2028 presidential primary race grows clearer with large fields of potential candidates in both parties, the battle for the first-in-the-nation spot is heating up. The DNC, state parties, and potential candidates will need to navigate this complex situation carefully to ensure a fair and inclusive process for all.

South Carolina Democrats plan to defend their 'first in line' presidential primary standing during the 2028 election cycle