'Democratic kingmaker' Clyburn warns GOP-led effort to 'break' his district could backfire
Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., cautioned Republicans to be "very careful what you pray for" amid a Trump-backed effort by Republican South Carolina state lawmakers to redraw the state’s map —...
By Fox News · Fox News
Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., cautioned Republicans to be "very careful what you pray for" amid a Trump-backed effort by Republican South Carolina state lawmakers to redraw the state’s map — an effort that would target Clyburn, the lone Democratic member of the state’s U.S. House of Representatives. Deemed a "kingmaker" within the Democratic Party, Clyburn’s endorsement of then–presidential candidate Joe Biden during the 2020 election was widely credited with helping Biden win the presidency. He has been in Congress for more than 30 years, but now faces uncertainty as the South Carolina legislature voted Wednesday to consider redrawing the state’s congressional lines. However, in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union," Clyburn said he believed he would win his seat for an 18th term, adding that if Republicans are successful with their redistricting effort in South Carolina, there are "possibilities of at least three Democrats" being elected to Congress in the state. "I don’t know why people think I could not get re-elected if they redistrict South Carolina," Clyburn said. "I have a district that’s about 45% 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." GOP GOVERNOR NOMINEE PUSHES REDISTRICTING TO OUST STATE'S LONE HOUSE DEM Clyburn took to X on Thursday, accusing Republicans of trying to "break" his district after the state House voted Wednesday to consider redrawing the state’s congressional map. "Republicans in the South Carolina state legislature began the process of extending their session to allow for the redrawing of the state’s congressional map — with one goal in mind: eliminating the state’s only Democratic House district that is occupied by a Democrat," Clyburn posted on X. "This fight is bigger than one district," Clyburn continued. "It’s about whether our democracy belongs to the people, or to politicians who change the rules…