Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., is advocating for Nevada to be the first primary in the 2028 presidential election, citing the state’s ethnic diversity and working-class population. Nevada’s Democratic Party also supports this idea, highlighting the state’s diverse communities and strong union presence. Rosen believes that having Nevada as the first primary would allow Democratic leaders to hear from a wide range of businesses, individuals, and groups, including veterans, seniors, and small businesses. This push for Nevada to host the first primary comes as Democrats prepare to select a new party leader following Jaime Harrison’s announcement to step down in 2024.
The decision to make Nevada the first primary in 2028 comes after South Carolina was chosen to go first in the 2024 election, sparking controversy and pushback from New Hampshire, which had traditionally held the title of the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary. Reflecting on her narrow electoral win against Republican candidate Sam Brown and running ahead of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Rosen emphasized her motto of “Agree where you can. Fight where you must. Be practical to find results.” She highlighted her bipartisan efforts during her campaign and advised Democrats running in competitive races to be present, engaged, and listen to constituents’ concerns and hopes.
Rosen pointed out Nevada’s attributes as a great place for Democrats to start the presidential primary, including its fast-growing Asian-American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander population, engaged Black community, strong union presence, and tourism industry. She believes that having a diverse group of businesses and individuals, along with over 200,000 veterans, share their concerns and hopes with potential leaders would be beneficial. As Democrats gear up for the 2028 election cycle and the selection of a new party leader, the campaign for Nevada to host the first primary gains momentum.
The senator’s efforts to promote Nevada as the first primary state in 2028 align with her commitment to bipartisan collaboration and putting Nevada’s interests first. Rosen’s emphasis on listening to constituents, finding common ground, and taking practical actions to address their needs resonates with her approach to governance. By championing Nevada as the ideal location for Democrats to launch the presidential primary, Rosen aims to elevate the voices of diverse communities and working-class voters, showcasing the state’s unique demographic makeup and economic drivers.
As Democrats navigate the post-2024 election landscape and prepare for the upcoming election cycle, Rosen’s advocacy for Nevada to host the first primary serves as a strategic move to engage with a broad coalition of voters and demonstrate the party’s commitment to representing diverse perspectives. Her success in a closely contested race and bipartisan track record position her as a key voice in shaping the future direction of the party and advancing policies that address the concerns and aspirations of Americans across the nation. In pushing for Nevada to lead the way in the 2028 presidential primary, Rosen underscores the importance of inclusive representation and meaningful engagement with communities to build a stronger, more united Democratic Party.
