Democratic Party leaders from multiple states gathered in Washington, D.C., in late May 2026 to advocate for their states to hold the first presidential primary for the 2028 election.

The debate centers on the traditional early states, Iowa and New Hampshire, versus more diverse states like South Carolina, New Mexico, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Virginia, and Tennessee.Iowa and New Hampshire emphasize their legal and traditional rights to be first, citing state laws and established procedures.

Other states argue that diversifying early primaries would better reflect the Democratic Party's coalition and prepare candidates to appeal to broader, swing-state electorates.

South Carolina stresses the importance of Black voter representation, New Mexico highlights its minority-majority population and energy economy, and Georgia emphasizes its battleground status and two Democratic U.S.senators.

Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Virginia, and Tennessee argue that their demographics, political diversity, and regional influence make them ideal early primary states.

The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee must balance state laws, local election logistics, and strategic considerations for diversity and competitiveness in determining the early primary calendar.

The discussions reflect a broader strategic effort to ensure Democratic nominees are well-prepared and representative of the party's national base.