South Carolina Republican Senators Block Redistricting Plan Targeting Clyburn Seat

Five Republican state senators in South Carolina broke ranks on Tuesday and allied with Democrats to stop a proposal in the GOP-controlled legislature. The plan would have permitted a vote on a new congressional district map after the session ends later this week. That map sought to eliminate the state's only Democratic-held U.S. House seat ahead of the midterm elections.

The action followed a social media post from President Donald Trump hours earlier. He said he would be "watching closely" as lawmakers advanced changes to the map.

This defeat makes it tougher for South Carolina to follow Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana. Those states are reshaping maps to remove Democrat-controlled districts in time for the midterms, when Republicans defend their slim House majority. The southern states form the newest front in the national redistricting fight over House control in the last two years of Trump's second term.

Republican efforts follow a Supreme Court decision by its conservative majority. The justices cut a major protection from the 1965 Voting Rights Act and ruled that race cannot dictate legislative district maps.

South Carolina Republicans pushed a map that could end the career of longtime Rep. Jim Clyburn, the sole Democrat in the state's seven-member House delegation. Clyburn expressed confidence last week about his re-election chances. "I don’t know why people think I could not get re-elected if they redistrict South Carolina," he told CNN. "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."

Trump posted on social media Monday night to prod South Carolina Republicans. "BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS," he wrote. "Move the U.S. House Primaries to August, leave the rest on the same schedule. Everything will be fine. GET IT DONE!"

His words came a week after Trump-backed challengers ousted five Indiana Republican state senators. Those senators had blocked congressional redistricting in December.

Shane Massey, the Republican majority leader in the South Carolina Senate, spoke against following Trump. "South Carolina has always punched above their weight," he said. "Doing this will diminish that influence." He admitted potential fallout. "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."

Other state Republicans worried that splitting Clyburn's district might hurt the party in the midterms. Gov. Henry McMaster, a Trump ally, could call a special session, but his office called that unlikely.

In Tennessee, the GOP-led legislature approved a new map Thursday that wipes out the state's lone Democratic district and hands Republicans all nine seats. Gov. Bill Lee signed it into law. Rep. Steve Cohen, who holds the majority-Black district, promised a court fight. "Trump knows he HAS TO rig the game to keep his majority in November. And the TN GOP was willing to go along with it. It’s shameful," he posted on social media. "Next stop is the courts."

Trump hailed Tennessee and told South Carolina to match it.

Alabama's Supreme Court ruling last week revived a 2023 Republican map blocked earlier. It removes one of two Democratic-leaning seats. Gov. Kay Ivey called an August special primary for the four changed districts.

Louisiana's Supreme Court decision took effect right away last week. The GOP legislature started hearings Friday to reshape the map and target one or both Black-majority Democratic seats. Gov. Jeff Landry delayed the May 16 primaries.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill last week adding four Republican seats by dismantling Democratic ones. Republicans now hold a 20-8 edge there.

Democrats appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court Monday against a Virginia ruling. It blocked a ballot measure for four more Democratic seats. The 2024 map stays for 2026, giving Democrats a 6-5 House edge instead of 10-1.

The push began last spring. Trump proposed mid-decade redistricting to protect the GOP House majority after 2018 losses. He targeted Texas for five extra seats. Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session, but Democrats walked out for two weeks to stall it.

California voters passed Proposition 50 in November. It gave the Democratic legislature control over maps, adding five Democratic districts.

Republicans in Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina also redrew maps. A Utah judge rejected one last year and approved a Democratic-leaning alternative. Indiana senators blocked a bill in December.