Democrats gathering to give final approval to 2028 presidential primary calendar

Democrats are convening in Austin, Texas to finalize their 2028 presidential primary calendar, setting the stage for a highly competitive race to succeed President Donald Trump. The Democratic National Committee (DNC), chaired by Ken Martin, is expected to vote on the new schedule at their summer meeting. The revised calendar aims to prioritize states with more diverse populations, potentially giving greater influence to Black and Latino voters.

South Carolina is expected to be the first primary, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia throughout February. This shift away from the traditional Iowa and New Hampshire-led calendar reflects the party's efforts to better represent the demographics of its voter base. The meeting comes amid internal strife, with some Democrats calling for Martin's replacement and criticism of his leadership and the party's fundraising efforts, which have fallen short of Republicans' totals.