Colorado Democrats Applaud 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar

DENVER - Following today's vote by the Democratic National Committee's 49-member Rules and Bylaws Committee to select South Carolina as the first contest in the 2028 presidential nominating calendar, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib and Vice Chair Indira Duggirala, both members of the committee, issued the following statement.

"South Carolina gives Democratic presidential candidates an early test before voters who are central to our party and to winning elections across the country. The Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais will have serious consequences for Black representation in the South, and voting rights in South Carolina. Democrats will compete hard for the support of voters in a state where democracy is on the line.

We're also proud to have worked hard to add New Mexico to the early-state calendar alongside Nevada. Candidates will have to earn the support of Latino, Native and working-class voters and speak directly to the issues facing the West during this early-state window - an historic and important step to driving focused attention on the issues that impact us most.

Public lands, water and wildfire cannot be treated as short-term political issues. They require action and leadership that reaches beyond a two- or four-year election cycle.

Taken together, South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia reflect the coalition needed to win the White House: Black voters in the South, Latino, AAPI, Native and working-class families across the West, the independent-minded voters of New Hampshire, the union households of Michigan, and the fast-growing suburbs of Virginia. A nominee who earns the trust of voters across that coalition will be ready to compete in the states that decide a general election.

Our goal is simple: choose a strong battle-tested nominee who will build strong coalitions, lower costs, create good jobs, protect health care, strengthen public schools and defend the right of people to make their own decisions. That is how Democrats will win in 2028."

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