South Carolina Gov. McMaster Calls Special Session on Budget and Redistricting Amid GOP Rift

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced Thursday that he is calling the state legislature into a special session in Columbia starting Friday to address the state budget and congressional districts.

"I have issued an Executive Order calling the General Assembly back for an extra legislative session to address the state budget and congressional districts beginning Friday, May 15, at 11:00 AM," McMaster wrote on X.

The session comes amid Republican Party tensions over a Trump-supported push to redraw the state's congressional map. That effort could endanger the seat of Democratic Rep. James Clyburn, who receives credit for reviving Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, and four other senators joined Democrats to defeat a proposal that would have let the chamber vote on redistricting after the regular session ended Thursday.

The blockage occurred hours after President Donald Trump said he was "watching closely" the redistricting drive. Proponents aim to remove the state's lone Democrat from Congress and suggested moving the House primary to August.

Clyburn, an 85-year-old lawmaker from Orangeburg, is seen as a key figure in South Carolina Democratic politics. A redraw would spread the state's Republican advantage across its seven districts.

"I don’t know why people think I could not get re-elected if they redistrict South Carolina," Clyburn said in a CNN interview. "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 argued in a floor speech that following Trump's position would harm South Carolina's interests.

"South Carolina has always punched above their weight," Massey said. "Doing this will diminish that influence."

He acknowledged potential political fallout from Trump and his allies.

"There are likely consequences for me, personally, taking the position that I am right now," Massey said. "I’m comfortable with that. I may not like it, but I’m comfortable with it. ... My conscience is clear on this one."

A recent Supreme Court decision in the Callais case struck down Louisiana's race-conscious map, which had created two Democratic strongholds with large minority populations. The ruling has prompted action in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.

Clyburn's district stemmed from a 1992 recommendation by the George H.W. Bush Justice Department to create a majority-Black district. He won the seat after Democratic Rep. Robin Mooneyhan Tallon of Hemingway retired.

Clyburn is a relative of George Washington Murray, a Black Republican who served South Carolina in Congress in the 1890s.

The congressman recently filed for re-election, joking that he is in good health and marking the 47th anniversary of his 39th birthday soon.

Alabama held a special session earlier in May. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, predicted it would lead courts to review a redistricting referendum.

Tennessee redrew its map, likely ending longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen's tenure in Shelby County. Mississippi's effort stalled after Gov. Tate Reeves halted a push to unseat former Jan. 6 Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson in the Delta.