South Carolina is already setting the stage for the shadow 2028 presidential primaries as potential White House hopefuls from both parties travel to the Palmetto State.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) traveled through rural South Carolina during a two-day tour this past week, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are expected to head to the state later this month.

Over on the Republican side, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is speaking at a South Carolina GOP fundraiser next month, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) recently made trips to South Carolina and Iowa, according to Axios reports.

The moves have raised speculation over whether some candidates are laying early groundwork for possible White House bids in 2028 and what role South Carolina will play in the next presidential cycle's calendar.

“I don't read it any other way,” said South Carolina Democratic National Committee (DNC) member Carol Fowler, regarding the high-profile Democrats visiting the state, which was the first official Democratic primary location in 2024.

“I believe that they're at least contemplating it,” she added, referring to potential White House bids.

Only months into President Trump’s second term, the chatter in political circles is moving fast to 2028. Govs. Wes Moore (D) of Maryland and Tim Walz (D) of Minnesota traveled south in May to participate in the South Carolina state party’s Blue Palmetto Dinner and Democratic State Convention, respectively. The two men also appeared at Rep. James Clyburn’s (D-S.C.) annual fish fry.

Moore has said he’s not running for president in 2028. A source close to his campaign noted that the Maryland governor had traveled to the state earlier this year after canceling a trip to South Carolina that had........

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