Clyburn reacts to SC Senate rejection of redistricting that jeopardized his seat
South Carolina U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn lauded state leaders who rejected a Trump-endorsed redistricting plan to end his decades-long run in Congress in a public appearance just hours after the deciding vote.
The Democrat held an event promoting his new book alongside former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt at First Baptist Church - West Tuesday evening.
Clyburn appeared in Charlotte the same day the South Carolina Senate failed to advance a redistricting plan that would’ve drawn the veteran congressman out of his seat. He is the only Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation.
Republican Gov. Henry McMaster called a special session for the legislature to reconsider a redistricting plan pushed by the Trump administration, hoping to pass the bill in a narrow window before upcoming primary elections. The move was part of a nationwide campaign to redraw congressional districts ahead of the November elections.
Opponents encouraged voters to head to the polls Tuesday, the first day of early voting, based on the theory that the more votes were cast before a decision, the easier it would be to challenge the redistricting plan in court if it passed. Voters set a single-day early turnout record by lunchtime.
The GOP-led state Senate ultimately rejected the plan Tuesday afternoon after a dozen Republicans sided with Democrats.
“South Carolina citizens are going to the polls today. And neither my conscience or common sense is going to let me stop an election that is already underway,” Republican state Sen. Richard Cash said.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his Charlotte event, Clyburn celebrated the Senate’s decision, which he said will help preserve African-American representation from the state.
“The vote today reflected what South Carolinians would like to see, and that is a constitutional process,” he said.
Clyburn, who voted earlier in the day in Orangeburg, South Carolina, said the record-setting turnout at the polls was a testament to the “anger” voters felt toward the proposed redistricting process.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen voters as animated as I saw them today,” he said.
The redistricting push came from the Trump administration rather than within South Carolina, according to Clyburn, something the Democrat said Republicans told him frustrated them.
“South Carolinians don’t like that too much,” he said
Clyburn predicted recent events will have a “tremendous impact” on his relationship with McMaster despite their working together in the past.
“I’m a human being,” Clyburn said.
