Democrats finalize 2028 presidential primary schedule, South Carolina takes the lead in breaking Iowa tradition

(Central News Agency, Austin, Comprehensive Foreign News Report on the 15th) According to the election year schedule approved today, candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 will need to show their strength as early as possible in states where black, Latino voters and union members are important support groups.

The Associated Press reported that this primary arrangement breaks with Iowa's traditional position of being the first to vote, with South Carolina taking the lead and voting on January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on February 1. According to the plan adopted by the Democratic National Committee at the Texas conference, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia will also hold primaries in February.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin mentioned in an interview that this schedule is very critical, because if you want to win in the general election, "you must withstand the test of actual combat and prove that you have campaigned in front of different communities across the country and won their support."

Faced with an expected large field of candidates, some potential candidates have visited primary outposts such as South Carolina. Democratic leaders say such a schedule will give candidates the best chance to regain the White House after Republican President Trump's second term ends.

Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist who has participated in many presidential elections, said: "Candidates must prove that they can go deep into the South and talk to African-American voters and rural voters. At the same time, they have to go west to talk about livestock and mining issues. They also have to visit border states and communicate with union members. In the end, those who stand out must be strong and experienced."

Howard Dean, a former presidential candidate and former Vermont governor, recalled his time as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. At the time, Democrats ranked Nevada and South Carolina behind Iowa and New Hampshire. This latest tweak, he says, is even better.

"Overall, these states are more reflective of the U.S. population in a way that Iowa and New Hampshire are not," he said.