Nevada Democrats push to host first 2028 primary, highlighting battleground advantages

The Nevada State Democratic Party has submitted a proposal to the Democratic National Committee requesting to host the first presidential nominating contest in the 2028 election cycle.

The proposal was sent to the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, which is responsible for setting the party’s early primary calendar. At this stage, no state has officially been designated to go first, and the committee has not finalized the order of early contests.

Nevada Democrats argue the state’s majority-minority population, large working-class electorate, and status as a competitive battleground make it a strong testing ground for Democratic presidential candidates. Party leaders also point to Nevada’s relatively small size, two major media markets, and expanded voting access as meeting the DNC’s criteria for rigor, fairness, and efficiency.

In a statement, Nevada Democratic Party chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno said placing Nevada first would better reflect the coalition Democrats need to win nationally.

Nevada is not alone in seeking early-state status. Other states, including New Hampshire and Michigan, are also expected to make the case for prominent positions on the 2028 calendar. The DNC is expected to review proposals and announce decisions at a later date.

For now, the question of which state will go first in 2028 remains undecided.