If the redistricting effort is ultimately successful, the primary would be delayed from June 9 to Aug. 11.
The South Carolina state Senate voted on May 12 against extending its current session, a setback in the effort to postpone the congressional primaries in the state and to redraw the state’s congressional map.
Five Republicans joined all Democrats in the result, which required the support of a two-thirds majority.
It’s not over yet, as South Carolina’s Republican Gov. Henry McMaster could call a special session.
Were the effort to be successful, the primary would be delayed from June 9 to Aug. 11.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the redistricting issue on Monday, posting on social media that he was monitoring the situation closely and urging South Carolina senators to support delaying the primaries so new congressional districts can be created.
This comes after Trump-backed candidates successfully unseated five incumbents in the Indiana state Senate that opposed redistricting in the Hoosier State.
South Carolina Lt. Governor Pamela Evette called for redrawing the state’s congressional map.
“We have both the duty and the opportunity to maximize our conservative stronghold and ensure our people receive the representation they deserve, grounded in faith, freedom, family values, safe communities, and economic prosperity,” she said before the South Carolina House Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee on Tuesday.
Republicans currently hold a supermajority in the legislature, but not all GOP senators are convinced the proposed map would strengthen their position. Some lawmakers worry the redraw could unintentionally make other districts more competitive for Democrats, potentially reducing the Republican advantage from 6–1 to 5–2, or even 4–3.
The debate largely centers on the district represented by Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the only Democrat in South Carolina’s congressional delegation.
Some Republicans argue that altering district lines could help the GOP capture the seat, while others fear the strategy could backfire politically.
“Frankly, I’m concerned that if you, as I’ve said before, that if you get cute with this and you start playing with it too much, that you could actually end up losing seats,” Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said during discussions.
