The ink is barely dry on the 2026 midterm election ballots, never mind the results, and yet the 2028 presidential election cycle — at least here in Nevada — is already underway.
That’s because the Silver State is now one of the earliest nominating states for both major parties. For Democrats, the primaries begin in South Carolina on January 22, 2028, then move to Nevada on February 1. For Republicans, Nevada is third on the primary schedule, after Iowa and New Hampshire.
Just look at the recent travel itineraries of some high-profile Democratic politicians.
Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona has visited Nevada three times in recent months, appearing at events such as the Washoe Dems annual fundraiser and The Nevada Independent’s IndyFest, an event known to draw the politically savvy and connected.
Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky has also suddenly taken an interest in the Silver State, appearing at events for Aaron Ford’s gubernatorial campaign and for congressional Democrats such as Dina Titus and Steven Horsford.
And then there’s Congressman Ro Khanna, of California’s Bay Area, who has appeared at more than a dozen events across Nevada. That includes stops in Elko and Ely, as well as at the Walker River Indian Reservation — communities with only a handful of registered Democrats. However, those initial forays into the wilderness may prove fruitful in a primary where one vote could make the difference between building momentum and packing it up and going home.
Republicans, on the other hand, have been more hesitant to declare their intent to run for president and build support in Nevada. That’s mostly because of President Trump’s iron grip on the party. While he’s constitutionally prohibited from serving a third term, his insistence on “joking” about it has pushed many Republicans to take a wait-and-see approach.
It also likely has something to do with the continued confusion over the Nevada Republican Party’s nomination process, which in 2024 favored its traditional party-run caucus over the state’s official presidential preference primary
And yet potential Republican office-seekers are still finding ways to visit.
Vice President JD Vance, who polling suggests may be the candidate most likely to replace Trump as the leader of the GOP, visited Las Vegas over the summer to speak at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s 2026 Leadership Summit. He also appeared at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference, which drew other potential contenders such as President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.
So, what does it all mean for Nevadans?
For years, Iowa’s and New Hampshire’s position as early primary/caucus states was seen as a way to secure early promises from the next president. It didn’t matter who won, because every candidate was willing to promise support for corn-growers and advanced manufacturing. That outsized influence was the main argument behind the late Senator Harry Reid’s and Nevada Democrats’ push to make the Silver State one of the first primary states.
But that was before social media and the 24-hour news cycle. Today, campaigns are nationalized. A high-profile candidate can be on the campaign trail in South Carolina, call fundraisers in California, and record a video for Instagram and TikTok all while preparing to appear on CNN, Fox News, or MS NOW.
Just look at 2020. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, led the polls in early nominating states, even though then-former Vice President Joe Biden would ultimately take his party’s nomination. In 2024, Nevada Democrats voted for Biden in the primary but wound up with Vice President Kamala Harris on the November ballot.
So, what does it matter if Nevada goes first or second? Probably not a lot.
But, hey, your local political consultant, TV station, and ad agency stand to make some good money over the next year.
Let's just hope you don’t mind the messaging.
