DNC Rules Committee Hears 2028 Primary Calendar Proposals from a Dozen States

DNC chair Ken Martin skipped the public portion of the rules and bylaws committee meeting held at a Washington hotel this week while a dozen states presented arguments for moving up their 2028 presidential primary dates. Martin instead conducted private conversations at the hotel during the session, Axios reported.

The committee is responsible for setting the primary calendar and debate schedule that will shape the party's next nomination contest.

The DNC released an incomplete autopsy of the 2024 election earlier this month, which Martin later disavowed. Some Democratic operatives have argued that the episode has left Martin without sufficient credibility to oversee key elements of the 2028 process.

Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of the podcast Pod Save America, said on the program that distrust in the DNC could lead supporters to conclude the process is rigged against their preferred candidate.

Committee member Stuart Appelbaum told Axios there is huge support at the committee and across the party for Martin. Vinod Thomas, a DNC member who had earlier pressed Martin to release the autopsy, said in an email that Martin remains a reform-minded, progressive leader and that his removal would likely result in replacement by someone more aligned with insiders, consultants and donor networks.

Martin previously led the Association of State Democratic Committees.

Since taking the DNC chairmanship he has increased funding for state parties, a record that several committee members cited in explaining their continued backing. Nevada and New Mexico stressed their sizable Latino populations in presentations to the committee. South Carolina pointed to its large Black electorate.

Tennessee highlighted its location in Appalachia, where Democrats once held strength. Nevada Democrats hosted a private reception for committee members that included Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar.

New Hampshire and Michigan Democrats distributed goodie bags to panel members. Under party bylaws, removing Martin would require at least a majority vote of the DNC's roughly 400 members.