UMVA has learned that South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, a close ally of former President Donald Trump and a fellow Republican, has called a special session of the state legislature to address the state budget and congressional districts.
The special session, set to begin on Friday at 11:00 AM, comes amid rising tensions within the Republican party over Trump's-backed effort to redraw the state's congressional map. This move could potentially threaten the tenure of Democratic Representative James Clyburn, a prominent figure in South Carolina politics and a key supporter of President Joe Biden's 2020 campaign.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey and four other senators recently joined Democrats to defeat a proposal that would have allowed the chamber to vote on redistricting after the legislative session. This development has sparked concerns about the potential consequences for Clyburn, who has represented the state's 6th congressional district for decades.
Clyburn, an 85-year-old lawmaker from Orangeburg, South Carolina, has expressed confidence in his ability to win re-election even under a new map. In a recent interview, he stated, "I don't know why people think I could not get re-elected if they redistrict South Carolina. I have a district that's about 45 percent African American. I have no idea what the number will be after the legislature finishes, but whatever that number is, I will be running on my record and America's promise."
Massey, who opposed the redistricting effort, argued that it would diminish South Carolina's influence in Congress. He also acknowledged that he may face backlash from Trump and his allies, stating, "There are likely consequences for me, personally, taking the position that I am right now. I'm comfortable with that. I may not like it, but I'm comfortable with it. ... My conscience is clear on this one."
The recent Callais decision by the Supreme Court has sparked a wave of redistricting efforts across the country, including in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Clyburn's district, which was created in 1992 at the request of the Justice Department, may be particularly vulnerable to changes.
As the special session gets underway, Clyburn is not the only elderly lawmaker facing re-election challenges. Several octogenarian lawmakers, including Senator Charles Grassley and Representative Hal Rogers, are also running for re-election. The outcome of the special session and the redistricting efforts could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the redistricting effort in South Carolina has far-reaching implications, not just for Clyburn's seat, but for the entire state's congressional delegation. The new map could potentially lead to the ouster of Clyburn and other Democratic lawmakers, altering the state's representation in Congress for years to come.
