Iowa Loses Prime Spot in 2028 Presidential Primary Timeline In a significant shake-up of the Democratic Party's presidential primary schedule, Iowa has been demoted from its long-held position as the first state to host a primary. The move, announced by Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, aims to better prepare candidates for the general election by making them "battle-tested" through a more grueling primary process. The changes are expected to give other states, such as South Carolina and Nevada, a greater role in shaping the party's nominee. The shift marks a significant departure from the traditional Iowa-first approach, which has been a cornerstone of the Democratic primary process for decades.
The Democratic party pushed Iowa from the top of its 2028 presidential primary timeline. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin says the changes will ensure candidates are “battle-tested.”
