BEAUFORT, S.C. () – A new push is underway to reshape South Carolina’s only Democrat-held congressional seat.
A Republican candidate for governor has pledged that if he secures victory, he will urge the state legislature to alter the boundaries of South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC).
“We’re a conservative state. Six out of our seven congressmen are Republicans,” stated Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who represents South Carolina’s 5th District and is also a gubernatorial contender.
SC-06 includes several areas of the Lowcountry, like Jasper and Hampton counties.
The boundaries of District 6 were adjusted recently following the 2020 U.S. Census, but now, some legislators are considering further changes for the 2026 election.
“He’s not aligning with South Carolina voters, and I’d say his views don’t reflect the Sixth District. If you observe the district’s lines, it’s like a jigsaw puzzle, seemingly arranged by a bunch of intoxicated sailors,” commented Rep. Norman.
Rep. Clyburn said Rep. Norman’s argument has no merit.
“I don’t entertain ridiculousness,” he said. “If you think everyone must agree on everything or that everyone should be a Republican, there’s something amiss with your thinking.”
Clyburn has represented his district for decades and is the only Black representative in the state.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that District 6 has a notably higher proportion of Black voters compared to other districts in South Carolina.
“Anybody who says that because the majority of South Carolinians are white, there should not be any Black representation, because the majority of South Carolinians voted for Republicans, that means no Black people should have any representation, I would like to know, when did 56% become 100%?” Clyburn said.
Norman told his campaign promise was not about race.
“I hope to have a bill on my desk when I become Governor that starts the process,” he said. “We can have the debate over how the lines are drawn and how the number of voters is proportionally divided up, but it’s the right thing to do at the right time.”
For South Carolina’s congressional districts to be redrawn again, the state legislature would have to vote in favor of that decision.
“The fact is, there’s no one party who has a monopoly on the thought process,” Clyburn said.
