SOUTH CAROLINA — President Trump has urged state lawmakers to postpone congressional primaries ahead of a critical redistricting vote in the state legislature, calling for bold action to counter what he describes as Democratic efforts to undermine the nation through gerrymandering and census manipulation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The South Carolina State Senate has a big vote tomorrow on Redistricting. I’m watching closely, along with all Republicans across the Country who are counting on their Elected Leaders to use every Legal and Constitutional authority they have to stop the Radical Left Democrats from destroying our Country, including leveling the playing field against their decades of egregious Gerrymandering and Census Rigging.”
Trump further urged South Carolina Republicans: “BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS, just like the Republicans of the Great State of Tennessee were last week! Move the U.S. House Primaries to August, leave the rest on the same schedule. Everything will be fine. GET IT DONE!”
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson endorsed Trump’s call, stating: “President Trump is right. South Carolina has an opportunity to act, and we need leaders willing to get it done. Now is the time to be bold and lead.”
A subcommittee of the House’s Constitutional Law Committee passed a resolution 3-2 along party lines that would postpone the state’s Congressional primaries until August. The subcommittee declined to discuss a proposed redistricting map designed to ensure all seven congressional districts were represented by Republicans.
South Carolina’s regular legislative session ends on May 14, while the state’s congressional primaries are scheduled for June 9. Former state Representative Adam Morgan, founding chairman of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, noted there are currently “9 South Carolina GOP senate holdouts.”
Campaign concerns have emerged as candidates who began campaigning in current districts worry about transferring funds to new canvassing efforts under a redrawn map. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) acknowledged the timing is tight but expressed faith in Trump’s plan: “It’s sort of late in the game. Is it too late? I don’t know. I think the Trump people believe that the new map can lead to a pick up and it won’t jeopardize seats,” he said during a campaign event on May 8.
Trump has consistently championed redistricting efforts in Republican-leaning states to maintain party control in both chambers of Congress. The proposed changes could force Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) out of office after five years as the only Democrat in South Carolina’s congressional delegation, which represents a district created under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act—a district recently weakened by Supreme Court rulings.
Clyburn warned: “Republicans are trying to break apart South Carolina’s 6th District. Not because voters demanded it, but because Donald Trump requested it.”
