Those Democrat primaries in states such as Michigan and Wisconsin have shown a deep divide in where the party may be headed as far-left candidates with radical ideas such as defunding the police and Medicare-for-all have shown significant influence.
That reality will likely play a role when the Democratic National Committee meets in Austin, Texas,to vote on a new order of states for the party's 20028 primaries.
The party is expected to give final approval to a calendar that has South Carolina's primary first on Jan. 22, followed by Nevada on Feb. 1. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia would round out the early states, voting throughout February.
Iowa and New Hampshire officials have expressed disappointment with the decision after the early approval at a committee meeting in July. Rita Hart, the Iowa Democratic Party chair, said it was a sign the party is “out of touch with voters.”
The gathering also coincides with financial struggles confronting Democrats, including lackluster fundraising and carrying debt. The DNC reported about $16 million cash on hand in its most recent Federal Election Commission filing along with more than $18 million in debt. The GOP, meanwhile, reported nearly $129 million cash on hand in its latest FEC filing.
