States compete for top billing on Democrats' 2028 election calendar

Apnews - May 11th, 2025

Democrats are grappling with deciding which state will lead off the 2028 presidential primary season, following President Joe Biden's reshuffle of the 2024 election calendar that placed South Carolina ahead of traditional early states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. This decision is crucial as each state's demographic and political landscape can advantage different candidates and reflect various segments of the Democratic base. Key figures like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore are making early visits to these critical states, hinting at their potential paths to the nomination. Meanwhile, former candidate Pete Buttigieg has re-entered the public sphere, emphasizing Iowa's past importance despite its diminished early role.

The reordering of the primary calendar highlights a broader strategic consideration for Democrats keen to reflect the nation's diversity and regain footing after losing the presidency to Donald Trump. Iowa and New Hampshire, historically first-in-the-nation states, are fighting to regain or maintain their positions, while Nevada and South Carolina, bolstered by their diverse populations, are making strong cases for leading the process. The decision's implications extend to party unity and strategy, as leaders weigh maintaining tradition against the need to embrace demographic shifts. This struggle underscores the Democrats' internal debate over direction and inclusivity as they prepare for the 2028 elections.

South Carolina Joe Biden Pete Buttigieg Wes Moore Democratic National Committee New Hampshire Jb Pritzker Iowa Nevada 2028 Election Presidential Primaries

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RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the Democratic Party's deliberations over the 2028 primary calendar, accurately reflecting the strategic considerations and debates involved. It effectively highlights the perspectives of different states and party officials, contributing to a balanced narrative. While the article is timely and addresses a topic of public interest, it could improve in areas of transparency and clarity by providing more detailed explanations and simplifying complex terms. Overall, the story is well-researched and informative, offering valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the Democratic primary process.

Accuracy

The article accurately presents the current situation regarding the Democratic Party's decision-making process for the 2028 primary calendar. It correctly identifies President Biden's role in reshaping the 2024 calendar, moving South Carolina ahead of Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. The claims about Iowa's caucus changes and New Hampshire's unsanctioned early primary are consistent with known facts. However, the story could benefit from more precise data on demographic compositions and voting trends in these states to fully substantiate claims about their strategic importance.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view by including perspectives from various state party leaders and officials. It highlights the interests of different states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, each vying for an early position in the primary calendar. However, the piece could improve by including more viewpoints from grassroots activists or voters within these states to provide a more comprehensive picture of the debate.

Clarity

The article is generally well-structured and clear, presenting the information in a logical order. The use of subheadings and direct quotes helps maintain clarity. However, the inclusion of technical jargon or unexplained terms related to the primary process might confuse readers unfamiliar with the topic. Simplifying language or providing brief explanations could improve clarity.

Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources, including statements from state party officials and references to actions by the Democratic National Committee. The inclusion of direct quotes from individuals like Scott Brennan and Christale Spain enhances the reliability of the information. However, the article could strengthen its source quality by incorporating more diverse sources, such as political analysts or independent experts, to provide additional context and analysis.

Transparency

While the article provides a clear narrative of the events and decisions regarding the primary calendar, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology behind these decisions. The story could improve transparency by explaining the criteria used by the DNC to select early states and any potential conflicts of interest influencing these choices. Additionally, more context about the historical significance of these changes would enhance understanding.