CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) — South Carolina is no stranger to increased attention in the years leading up to presidential elections, with the state hosting the South’s first voting contest in some of the final cycles. increase.
But even by those standards, 2024 feels different.
Democrats moved South Carolina to the top of the presidential primary, overtaking Iowa and New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Republicans could bring her two presidential candidates from South Carolina into the race, which could already create friction among Republican voters in the state.
See why so many political pathways through 2024 lead to South Carolina.
Democratic Party
Earlier this month, the Democratic National Committee approved the 2024 calendar. This is an effort to give a more diverse voter a prominent voice.
President Joe Biden has approved a plan to place South Carolina first on the party’s calendar for the next presidential cycle, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada, Michigan and Georgia.
Biden’s recognition of the role South Carolina played in reviving the 2020 campaign has been evident since his February victory celebration three years ago.
“You brought me back,” Biden told supporters. His victory gained momentum and helped the supers win the subsequent Tuesday votes for him.
Last year, at a South Carolina Democratic fundraiser, Vice President Kamala Harris thanked her and said: …Thanks, South Carolina.
The Biden administration has maintained close ties with the state, with Biden’s deep roots, family trips to the state, friendships with the late Senators Fritz Hollings and Strom Thurmond, and attorney Dick Harputrian. I was. Currently a state senator.
On Monday, Harris is scheduled to return to South Carolina to discuss the administration’s progress on broadband Internet expansion. This is a top priority for Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of Biden’s closest allies and the only Democrat in South Carolina’s congressional delegation. Other ministers also visited last year.
The South Carolina Democrats haven’t won a statewide election since 2006, but they’ve launched buttons, mugs, and apparel that flaunt their new state status with the tagline, “The South Carolina Democrats Pick the Winner.” has started selling. But the party is going through a transition period, and chairman Trav Robertson announced last week that he would not seek another term after six years in office.
Looking ahead, Robertson pointed to the local financial impact that could be felt from South Carolina’s early position. There, the media market (and the advertising dollars of the campaigns spent there) is pouring into the surrounding states.
“We have long argued that South Carolina’s position in this process is very beneficial to North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee,” Robertson told the Associated Press. “The impact will be felt for generations to come.”
local republican candidate
Nikki Haley’s official launch into the 2024 presidential election in downtown Charleston two weeks ago was filled with references to her six years as governor of South Carolina.
“Have a great day in South Carolina!” Haley said she agreed with the governor’s catchphrase, which she had asked state cabinet agencies to use when answering payphones.
Haley, the first woman and Indian American to lead the state, also mentions her accomplishments during her tenure, including job creation. She refers to leading the state “beyond hate and violence,” to the shooting of an unarmed black driver by a white police officer and the murder of nine of her black parishioners by a self-proclaimed white supremacist. It was a mention of
She did not explicitly mention the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol grounds after the 2015 church shooting.
With former President Donald Trump already running for president in 2024, Haley, who served as UN ambassador for two years, became the first major Republican to run for the nomination.
Some of South Carolina’s top Republicans, including Governor Henry McMaster, Lt. , helped solidify Republican support.
Haley expressed support from at least one member of the state’s legislative delegation, Rep. Ralph Norman. Rep. Nancy Mace, who Haley endorsed for re-election last year, says “my powder is dry” for now when it comes to the 2024 White House race.
But South Carolina Congressman Tim Scott is making a move that appears to be about formalizing his 2024 candidacy. The day after Haley’s launch, Scott himself was in Charleston to speak at his GOP dinner in Charleston County, which his team covered as part of a “listening tour.” A few days later, he and Haley were in Iowa, the first Republican to hold his 2024 vote.
Scott’s potential run has caused awkwardness among state Republicans, many of whom have endorsed both him and Haley.
Katherine Templeton, who ran Haley’s administration, said Haley and Scott are seeking support from state Republicans.
“Generally, Republicans Scott and Republicans Haley are pretty similar creatures, but it’s a game of addition, so both candidates have respect,” Templeton said. If I can’t be your number one, I’d like to be your number two.’ They don’t judge each other, but in the end it’s uncomfortable to choose among their friends.”
Templeton did not say who he plans to endorse, but said he expects a similar waiting game between Republican voters and donors in South Carolina.
“People are waiting to see what Tim does before making a decision,” she said. “But Nikki goes either way.
what else is going on?
The 2024 season will only start in South Carolina, like other early states. Next month, the state will host his one of the first leadoff, multi-contender events, with the Palmetto family sponsoring the Vision ’24 conference in Charleston.
Haley, one of the candidates announced so far, is expected to attend, but potential candidates are expected to come, including Scott and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Dakota Gov. Christy Nome, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are among those who have not yet registered.
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