Twelve states apply to be early contests in Democrats’ 2028 primary

Democrats in 12 states have applied to hold nominating contests in the early window of the 2028 presidential primary, the month before Super Tuesday, submitting pitches that stressed geography, race, size, diversity and battleground status. The Democratic National Committee has said it will select one state from each of four regions and could add a bonus fifth state.

The applicants, whose materials were reviewed by The New York Times, came from the West (Nevada and New Mexico), the South (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), the Midwest (Illinois, Iowa and Michigan) and the East (New Hampshire and Delaware). Several states — including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada and North Carolina — explicitly asked to be placed at the front of the line.

States made a variety of specific arguments: Iowa Democrats said they would fix the problems that plagued their last competitive caucus and wrote that they “will report the total number of presidential preferences from caucus-goers” and would not use a phone app for results. Nevada emphasized its large Latino electorate, New Mexico touted low cost and racial diversity, and Delaware contrasted its greater racial diversity and larger Black population with New Hampshire.

South Carolina highlighted its substantial numbers of Black voters and Black women, North Carolina called a top spot a “20 year strategy,” and Michigan and Illinois included support from governors Gretchen Whitmer and J.B. Pritzker.

Key Topics

Politics, Democratic National Committee, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina