{"id":3198,"date":"2026-07-24T21:11:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T21:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=3198"},"modified":"2026-07-24T21:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T21:11:09","slug":"democrats-reshape-their-primary-calendar-from-the-politics-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=3198","title":{"rendered":"Democrats reshape their primary calendar: From the Politics Desk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to <\/em>From the Politics Desk<\/em>, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team\u2019s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more Why LeBron James\u2019 decision to join 76ers shocked NBA executives<\/a><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s edition, Ben Kamisar breaks down Democrats\u2019 new presidential primary order. Plus, Kristen Welker explores the political pressure the ongoing Iran war is putting on Republicans.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam Wollner<\/em><\/p>\n

South Carolina set to kick off Democrats\u2019 2028 primary calendar<\/h2>\n

By Ben Kamisar<\/h3>\n

South Carolina is poised to hold the first Democratic presidential nominating contest in 2028 after the Democratic National Committee\u2019s powerful rules committee voted to keep the state at the front of the line.<\/p>\n

The move, recommended by the rules committee today and set to be presented to the full DNC at its summer meeting next month, settles a monthslong battle among a handful of states. <\/p>\n

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Nevada and New Hampshire, which also vied to be the lead-off state, will hold the second and third nominating contests, respectively. And Iowa, which had long hosted the first-in-the-nation caucuses, is out of the early voting window altogether.<\/p>\n

The dates of the first six 2028 contests:<\/p>\n

Jan. 22:<\/strong> South Carolina<\/p>\n

Feb. 1:<\/strong> Nevada<\/p>\n

Feb. 8:<\/strong> New Hampshire <\/p>\n

Feb. 15: <\/strong>New Mexico<\/p>\n

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Feb. 22:<\/strong> Michigan<\/p>\n

Feb. 29:<\/strong> Virginia <\/p>\n

The new calendar significantly changes the calculus for Democratic presidential candidates, replacing two heavily white states at the top with states with more diverse populations, while still preserving three of the four traditional early state contests. And adding two more states before Super Tuesday means there will be more delegates up for grabs before March.<\/p>\n

The struggle between Nevada and South Carolina turned tense in recent weeks, particularly among some Democrats who framed the debate as one between two key pieces of the party\u2019s base. Latino voters make up a large portion of the Nevada electorate, and Black voters are the foundation of South Carolina\u2019s Democratic electorate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen South Carolina goes first \u2026 the Deep South goes first, Black voters go first,\u201d South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain<\/strong> said this week during an interview with political commentator Roland Martin. \u201cBlack voters are the backbone of this party, and so we should continue to elevate Black voters\u2019 role in the process, not push it further back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley<\/strong> criticized the DNC\u2019s decision, noting that state law requires them to hold the first presidential primary.<\/p>\n

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\u201cToday\u2019s vote shows that many party insiders have learned nothing from 2024,\u201d Buckley said in a statement. \u201cNew Hampshire has a proven track record of testing our candidates with a rigorous, fair, and efficient process, yet those qualities did not prevail. This committee\u2019s vote does not change the realities governing New Hampshire\u2019s primary, which are beyond the control of both this committee and our state party.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more \u2192<\/strong><\/p>\n

5 months into the war and 100 days from the midterms, Republicans are feeling the pressure<\/h2>\n

Analysis by Kristen Welker<\/h3>\n

With the United States now nearly five months into a war that was supposed to be over in weeks, and the midterm elections just over 100 days away, pressure is growing for President Donald Trump<\/strong> to find a way out. <\/p>\n

Read more Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer backs Haley Stevens in contested Democratic Senate primary<\/a><\/p>\n

Gas prices have climbed to more than $4 a gallon nationwide, and Americans are continuing to feel the impact on their grocery bills. An estimate from Moody\u2019s Analytics found that the Iran war has cost roughly $1,200 per household. <\/p>\n

The bottom line is the Iran war is deeply unpopular. A recent Fox News poll found that 56% of registered voters oppose U.S. military action against Iran and 66% disapprove of Trump\u2019s handling of the war. And 67% disapprove of his handling of the economy. <\/p>\n

Some GOP strategists say this all risks putting some potential battleground races out of their reach in November. Republicans have consistently said gas prices need to come down by August or Labor Day at the latest. As those benchmarks get closer, anxiety is growing. <\/p>\n

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Trump has said he is not letting politics influence him, and administration officials confirm he\u2019s steadfast in that mindset. <\/p>\n

It became clear overnight that the economic pressure that has resulted from the Iran war is not stopping the president from moving forward with another policy priority: imposing fresh tariffs. <\/p>\n

At least 60 trading partners, including longtime allies Mexico and Canada, will now face levies on goods produced by \u201cforced labor.\u201d The administration said the move is meant to punish those countries for not importing American goods, made by workers who are often paid higher wages. With voting in the fall elections fast approaching, the White House is running short on time to convince the public things are on the right track. <\/p>\n

Join me this Sunday on \u201cMeet the Press,\u201d when I\u2019ll speak with U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz<\/strong> and Sen. Mark Kelly<\/strong>, D-Ariz., about all of this and more. Steve Kornacki <\/strong>will also break down the numbers driving this year\u2019s midterms.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f Today’s other top stories<\/h2>\n