Farnsworth pointed to the 2020 Democratic primary, when former Vice President Joe Biden stumbled in Iowa and New Hampshire before a commanding victory in South Carolina revived his campaign. “I look forward to welcoming presidential candidates to Virginia and to seeing our voters play a decisive role in this historic election cycle,” he said. Even if the DNC approves the 2028 calendar next month, Virginia lawmakers would still have to move the state’s presidential primary. The modern early-state system grew out of reforms following the turbulent 1968 Democratic National Convention, shifting more influence from party leaders to primary voters. The proposed 2028 calendar would expand the opening window to six states by adding Virginia and Michigan.