South Carolina's Democrats have coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris for president after President Joe Biden on Sunday withdrew from the 2024 race.
In a statement posted to X, the state Democratic Party said its 55 delegates met virtually Sunday night and voted to endorse Harris as the party's 2024 nominee.
"We must move forward in unity for the sake of democracy; by selecting President Biden in February, South Carolina Democrats also selected the Vice President for her ability to lead," state Democratic Party Chairwoman Christale Spain said in part. "Vice President Harris has been fully vetted, and she has earned our unwavering support. It will be an honor to vote for her as our party’s nominee next month.”
Delegates in Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Tennessee also voted to back Harris when the Democratic National Convention convenes in Chicago from Aug. 19-22.
The Associated Press reported Monday afternoon that more than 1,000 delegates told the outlet or announced that they will support Harris at the DNC.
South Carolina ETV and South Carolina Public Radio will be in Chicago to cover the DNC.
Delegate Marlon Kimpson, a former state senator from Charleston and longtime Biden ally, was not on the virtual call Sunday due to a scheduling conflict. He said the call had been previously arranged prior to Biden's news to go over the convention schedule.
That's why the vote was able to occur so quickly, he said.
"It wasn't even a question for me. I'm a Biden-Harris delegate from the 6th Congressional District. I was planning to go vote for Biden and Harris or Biden or Harris. So, it's a no brainer," said Kimpson, who backed Harris' candidacy after Biden's announcement.
South Carolina's delegates to the Democratic National Convention met tonight and endorsed @KamalaHarris for the 2024 Democratic Presidential Nomination. pic.twitter.com/oAnVwQVuYY
— South Carolina Democratic Party (@scdp) July 22, 2024
Biden bowed out of the 2024 race Sunday, weeks after a poor debate performance last month with former President Donald Trump.
In his one-page letter, Biden said while it had been his intention to seek reelection, "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
Biden said he will address the country later this week.
Biden won more than 96% of the vote in South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary in February against two lesser known candidates, Congressman Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson.
Four years ago, he received nearly 49% of the vote in the state's primary in a packed group that included Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Harris, who also sought the 2020 nomination and boasted one of the largest field operations in South Carolina, dropped out of the race in December before the primary.
Congressman Jim Clyburn, South Carolina's most powerful Democrat and a longtime Biden ally often credited with helping Biden secure the 2020 nomination, said he will follow Biden's lead and on Sunday endorsed Harris for president.
As far as who Harris should select as a running mate, Clyburn told CNN Sunday he'll support Harris' choice, "whoever it might be."
The 84-year-old (Clyburn had a birthday Sunday) did drop some names of interest: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Delegate Kimpson told SC Public Radio he hopes the choice is Cooper, citing his support for public education and Medicaid expansion.
"I'm hoping that he will get the nod," Kimpson said. "But there are others that, you know, I've heard as well. In my view, he would be the best choice."
Other notable South Carolinians reacted to Biden's reelection decision, including the state's senior U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
“I understand and respect President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. While we have political differences, I appreciate his lifelong service to our nation, which he dearly loves," Graham said in a statement. “I have known President Biden for over 25 years, traveling the world together pursuing America’s interests as we saw it. He has devoted his entire life to public service for the people of Delaware and the United States, and I wish him and his family well as this chapter in his life comes to an end.”
