Politics

REPORT: Michigan To Replace Iowa As An Early Democratic Primary State

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After 50 years of precedent, Michigan is looking to replace Iowa as an early Democratic primary state.

After calls from leaders to “diversify,” the Democratic National Committee (DNC) reopened the nominating processes last spring asking states to apply, or reapply, for the “first slot” status currently held by Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, Politico reported.


Michigan was vying with Minnesota to replace the Hawkeye State as the “first contest of presidential campaigns,” but got an edge this week when President Joe Biden said that he’d “bless their bid to hold their primary in the early-state window in the future,” a senior Michigan Democrat stated, according to Politico. (RELATED: DNC Had ‘Extensive Oversight’ Over Disastrous App That Turned Iowa Caucus On Its Head)

Michigan also holds an advantage over Minnesota for its status as a “general election battleground” state and its relationship with “powerful labor unions,” Politico noted.

Iowa isn’t the only state the Democrats are eyeing to replace. New Hampshire has also been criticized by DNC officials for its “predominately white” population and for not “reflecting the base of the Democratic Party,” Politico reported. Democrats are eying Nevada to “leapfrog” New Hampshire for the primaries while leaving open the possibility of adding a fifth state to the current primary lineup.

As yet there have been no comments by the White House regarding New Hampshire or the addition of a fifth state, though the DNC rules committee is expected to discuss the issues when they convene on Friday, Politico reported.