# Democratic panel picks South Carolina as first primary state

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/democratic-panel-picks-south-carolina-as-first-primary-state/
- Published: 2026-07-24T20:00:11+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-25T02:12:36+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hill (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5988929-early-primary-window-expands-six/
- Topics: Elections, Government, Politics

## Key points

- South Carolina is set to remain Democrats’ first primary state.
- The full DNC must still approve the proposed calendar.
- Iowa remains excluded from the early nominating contests.

## Summary

A Democratic National Committee panel recommended that South Carolina again hold the party’s first presidential nominating contest in 2028, preserving the role it gained for the 2024 cycle. The proposal, pending approval by the full DNC, would give Black Democratic voters significant influence at the beginning of an expected open nomination race.

The proposed early-state order is South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia. South Carolina was chosen over Nevada after debate over whether Black or Latino voters should have the earliest say, while Iowa was again excluded following problems with its 2020 caucuses.

## Coverage

- [The Hill: Democratic panel picks South Carolina as first primary state](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5988929-early-primary-window-expands-six/)
- [Fox News: DNC panel picks first 2028 primary state after battle over key voting blocs](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dnc-panel-picks-first-2028-primary-state-after-battle-over-key-voting-blocs)

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.