U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn (D-SC) finds himself in a precarious position as South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has indicated intentions to pursue redistricting before the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. This development follows announcements by other states in the South to reevaluate their congressional maps in the wake of a major Supreme Court ruling on race-based districting.
Republican State Rep. Jordan Pace, head of the House Freedom Caucus, previously introduced a redistricting map in November 2025 designed to modify the state’s boundaries significantly, particularly impacting the Sixth Congressional District. Prominent Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), have expressed their support for this review.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais limited the enforcement of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act concerning redistricting. In response, Governor McMaster emphasized the need for the General Assembly to ensure that South Carolina’s existing maps align with federal law. Despite earlier proposals for redistricting failing to gain traction, the Court’s decision has reignited interest in the matter.
“The U.S. Supreme Court upheld South Carolina’s current congressional map in 2024. In light of the Court’s most recent decision on the Voting Rights Act, it would be appropriate for the General Assembly to ensure that South Carolina’s congressional map still complies with all requirements of federal law and the U.S. Constitution,” McMaster said in a statement.
SC Gov. Henry McMaster signals the state could join LA and AL in redrawing:
“In light of the Court’s decision… it would be appropriate for the General Assembly to ensure that South Carolina’s congressional map still complies with federal law and the U.S. Constitution.”
— VoteHub (@VoteHub) May 1, 2026
Should the proposed map alterations be enacted, the current setup of the Sixth District, held by Clyburn since 1993, could be significantly changed.
This district includes many of the state’s majority-black areas around Columbia and Charleston, along with regions in the Black Belt. The proposed revisions might shift it towards counties that have recently shown strong support for Republican candidates, distancing it from those that leaned Democrat.
The ramifications of these changes could lead to a Republican domination of the state’s congressional representation and possibly end Clyburn’s lengthy career, as he ranks among the senior Democrats in the House. His influence extends to his roles as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, as well as Majority Whip.
Clyburn also played a pivotal role in Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, endorsing him at a critical moment that propelled Biden forward in the primaries.
Trends in other southern states have mirrored this momentum, with Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee initiating their own redistricting plans following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.
