Democrats Celebrate After South Carolina Redistricting Effort Fails
Democrats gathering in South Carolina this weekend are expected to be in a celebratory mood after the state Senate rejected a GOP-led effort to redraw congressional district lines. The move, backed by President Donald Trump, was aimed at ousting longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state’s lone Democratic congressman. The state Senate vote on the redistricting plan failed on Tuesday, the same day early voting began for South Carolina’s June 9 primary. Some state senators said the change was proposed too late to implement. Clyburn condemned the effort as targeting Democratic and African American voters. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is headlining the annual Blue Palmetto Dinner, and California Rep. Ro Khanna will speak at the state convention. The events come as the Democratic National Committee considers the 2028 primary calendar, with South Carolina pushing to go first.
What’s reported
The GOP-led state Senate rejected a Trump-backed effort to redraw House district lines.
The plan aimed to help Republicans unseat Rep. Jim Clyburn, who has served since 1993.
The vote failed on the first day of early voting for South Carolina’s June 9 primary.
Clyburn said the effort was intended to “zeroing Democratic voters, zeroing African American voters out of the process.”
Some state senators said it was too late to change district lines.
The Blue Palmetto Dinner and Clyburn’s “World Famous Fish Fry” are taking place Friday and Saturday.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is the headliner; California Rep. Ro Khanna will address the state convention.
Democratic party chairs from five southern states urged the DNC to pick South Carolina first in the 2028 primary order.
Key figures
Rep. Jim Clyburn – U.S. Representative from South Carolina’s 6th District
President Donald Trump – backed the redistricting effort
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear – headliner at Blue Palmetto Dinner
California Rep. Ro Khanna – set to headline state convention
Sources: abcnews.com
