South Carolina House Passes Congressional Map Targeting Clyburn's District
In the early hours of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, South Carolina's House passed a congressional map to dismantle Rep. James Clyburn's district, risking Republican control of all seven U.S. House seats in the state.[1]
The measure passed 74-37, with four Republicans among the 37 opposing votes.[1] The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, which has less than a week to act before early voting for the June 9 primary begins.[1] Gov. Henry McMaster called the special session after initially declining, following pressure from President Donald Trump.[1]
On May 12, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said he would oppose any map that eliminated Clyburn's district and warned against antidemocratic gerrymandering.[1] Some Republican lawmakers warned redrawing already safe GOP districts could, over time, make Democrats more competitive by redistributing progressive voters.[1] House members facing re-election were described as more likely to back President Trump's preferred map after Indiana Republicans who defied him lost primaries to Trump-backed challengers.[1]
Rep. James Clyburn said he will run for re-election regardless of how the lines are drawn and questioned how a state that is 27% Black could have zero Black members of Congress.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- In the early hours of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the South Carolina House passed a new congressional map in a 74–37 vote, with four Republicans among the opponents.
- The new map is explicitly drawn to dismantle Rep. James Clyburn’s district and, if enacted, could give Republicans control of all seven U.S. House seats in South Carolina.
- The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled South Carolina Senate, which — the report says — has less than a week to act before early voting for the June 9 primary begins.
- According to the report, Gov. Henry McMaster ultimately called the special session for redistricting after initially declining, following pressure from President Donald Trump.
- On May 12, 2026, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey delivered a floor speech saying he would vote against any map that eliminated Clyburn’s district and warned about antidemocratic gerrymandering.
- The report notes that some GOP lawmakers are concerned that redrawing already safe Republican districts could, over time, make Democrats more competitive by redistributing progressive voters.
- House members facing re-election were described as more inclined to back Indiana Republicans-style consequences for defying Trump after Indiana Republicans who defied the president on redistricting lost primaries to Trump-backed challengers.
- On May 20, 2026, Rep. James Clyburn told MS NOW he will run for re-election regardless of how the lines are drawn and questioned how a state that is 27% Black could have zero Black members of Congress.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- In the early hours of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the South Carolina House passed a new congressional map in a 74-37 vote, with four Republicans opposing it.
- The map is explicitly drawn to dismantle Rep. James Clyburn’s Democratic district and could give Republicans control of all seven U.S. House seats in South Carolina if enacted.
- The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled South Carolina Senate, which has less than a week to act before early voting for the June 9 primary begins.
- Gov. Henry McMaster ultimately called the special session for redistricting after initially declining to do so, following pressure from President Donald Trump.
- Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey gave a May 12, 2026 floor speech saying he would vote against any map that eliminated Clyburn’s district and warning about antidemocratic gerrymandering.
- Some GOP lawmakers worry redrawing already safe Republican districts could, over time, make Democrats more competitive by redistributing progressive voters.
- House members facing re-election were described as more inclined to back Trump’s preferred map after Indiana Republicans who defied the president on redistricting lost primaries to Trump-backed challengers.
- Rep. James Clyburn told MS NOW on May 20, 2026 that he will run for re-election regardless of how the lines are drawn and questioned how a state that is 27% Black could have zero Black members of Congress.