South Carolina Democrats expected to celebrate after Trump-backed redistricting fails
Democrats gathering this weekend in South Carolina are likely to be in a celebratory mood after the GOP-led state Senate rejected an effort backed by President Donald Trump to redraw House district lines. The move was aimed at ousting longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state’s lone congressional Democrat, who has been in office since 1993. The state Senate vote failed Tuesday, the first day of early voting, with some senators saying it was simply too late to change district lines. Clyburn condemned the effort, saying it was aimed at “zeroing Democratic voters, zeroing African American voters out of the process.” The political drama is part of a broader Republican strategy to redraw voting districts after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened minority protections under the Voting Rights Act. At least for now, Clyburn’s district has been preserved, and he is seeking an 18th term representing the 6th District. The weekend events include the Blue Palmetto Dinner, headlined by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Clyburn’s “World Famous Fish Fry.”
What’s reported
Democrats are expected to be jubilant after the GOP-led state Senate rejected a Trump-backed effort to redraw House district lines.
The redistricting push was aimed at ousting Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolina’s lone congressional Democrat.
The state Senate vote failed Tuesday, the first day of early voting, with some senators citing it being too late.
Clyburn said the effort was aimed at “zeroing Democratic voters, zeroing African American voters out of the process.”
The redistricting attempt is part of a GOP strategy after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened minority protections under the Voting Rights Act.
Early in-person voting is underway for South Carolina’s primary on June 9.
Clyburn, 85, is seeking an 18th term and has called it an “open question” whether this term could be his last.
Friday’s Blue Palmetto Dinner features headliner Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; California Rep. Ro Khanna will headline the state convention on Saturday.
Democratic party chairs from five southern states wrote a letter urging the DNC to again pick South Carolina to go first in the 2028 primary calendar.
Open questions
Whether Clyburn will run again after this term, as he called it an “open question.”
How the failed redistricting effort will affect the 2026 midterm elections in South Carolina.
What the Democratic National Committee will decide regarding the 2028 primary calendar.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC)
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear
California Rep. Ro Khanna
No other specific individuals named.
Sources: abcnews.com
