Democratic presidential candidates' 2028 chances in South Carolina
South Carolina is set to remain the first state in the Democratic presidential primary process for 2028, prompting potential candidates to begin early campaigning in the state. The state's significant African American voting bloc makes it a critical testing ground for Democratic hopefuls.
Why it matters
The primary schedule influences which candidates gain early momentum and how they tailor their platforms to appeal to the party's most reliable demographic.
Hear this story Since 1992, anytime a Democrat has won the White House, South Carolina primary voters have picked the winning candidate. Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden were the top vote-getters in the state on their roads to the presidency.
As Democrats seek a path back to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in 2028, South Carolina will again be the first state in the nation to hold a Democratic presidential primary – or at least the state sanctioned by party leaders to vote first. The Democratic National Committee officially confirmed Aug. 15 that South Carolina is the party's choice to replace Iowa and New Hampshire, the traditional leadoff states, in two years to better reflect the party’s diverse voters.
Many potential presidential candidates are already making pilgrimages to the state, even though the primary won't happen until Jan. 22, 2028.
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