(image via Depositphotos)The Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic Party voted Friday to shift Iowa from its coveted “first-in-the-nation” caucus position and move South Carolina to the beginning of the primary schedule.
Those pushing for the change say South Carolina offers better racial and geographic diversity than Iowa, which has held the front spot for five decades.
BREAKING: Democrats voted to remove Iowa as the leadoff state on the presidential nominating calendar and replace it with South Carolina starting in 2024, a dramatic shakeup championed by President Biden to better reflect the party’s diverse electorate. https://t.co/3gKEcLOpPQ
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 2, 2022
The move was endorsed by President Biden, who saw his political fortunes turn around in the 2020 campaign with a big win in the Palmetto State. The shake-up would also elevate Georgia and Michigan to earlier in the primary season.
If the full Democratic National Committee adopts the new recommendations next year, the new 2024 early primary calendar would be as follows:
Feb. 3 – South Carolina
Feb. 6 – New Hampshire & Nevada
Feb. 13 – Georgia
Feb. 27 – Michigan
Just my humble opinion, but I’ve never been a fan of the caucus thing. We had it here in Nevada for years, and it was a pain. If you couldn’t attend your local caucus, you were shut out of the process. A primary is much more fair.
Note: The only votes against the changes came from representatives from Iowa and New Hampshire.
The DNC moves South Carolina to the first primary. Roughly 60% of the Democratic voting electorate is Black.
House leadership is now led by a Black man from Brooklyn.
A Black woman will probably be the party's nominee in 2028.
If you're mad, we see you.
We all know why.
— Rugged Amethyst #TexasBorn #CaliBred (@groove_sdc) December 2, 2022
South Carolina should be first, both because it’s a more accurate indicator and because more fair. It’s the first time Black people get to vote in the primary. They’re the backbone of the Democratic Party. Representation matters.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) December 2, 2022