Incumbent Representative James Clyburn will win the South Carolina Democratic primaries in South Carolina’s 6th District, CNN projects.
He currently serves as the House majority whip.
Clyburn, who is seeking his 16th term, is one of the most influential figures in Democratic politics. His endorsement of Joe Biden ahead of South Carolina’s 2020 primaries effectively cemented Biden’s victory there – and propelled Biden to victory on the map over the ensuing days and weeks, ultimately. which led to him winning the Democratic presidential nomination.
Since then, Clyburn has taken over his role as the king of the Democratic Party. He supported Congressman Shontel Brown of Ohio in a tough special election against Bernie Sanders-aligned Senator Nina Turner of the state for a House seat in the Cleveland area. He then angered some progressives by supporting Rep. Henry Cuellar, the last anti-abortion Democrat in the House, in a Texas birthing run against progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros.
Clyburn, 81, is part of a trio of top House Democrats, all of whom are more than 80 years old but have held power without serious challenge in recent years.
Duke Buckner will win the GOP primaries for CNN projects, District 6, and will take on Clyburn in November.
