Longtime Democrat Jim Clyburn Running for Reelection in South Carolina

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said on March 12 that he will run for an 18th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

At 85, Clyburn is one of the oldest members of Congress. If reelected and he serves another term, he would become the longest-serving South Carolinian to serve in the U.S. House. He would also be the only remaining member of the previous House Democratic leadership team still in Congress after the retirements of Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

Clyburn will be in Washington on March 16, the opening day of candidate filing in South Carolina, meaning someone will file the necessary paperwork and pay the filing fee on his behalf, which is permitted under state law.

With Democrats possibly regaining control of the House, Clyburn could work alongside House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who would be in line to become speaker.

Speaking to reporters at an event at the South Carolina Democratic Party headquarters, Clyburn said Jeffries had encouraged him to remain in Congress, though he had not been informed in advance of Clyburn’s decision to run again.

During his 33 years in the House, Clyburn has served as the majority whip and as an assistant Democratic leader.

Clyburn said his health remains good, adding that he discussed the decision with his daughters before announcing his candidacy.

“I’m going to answer a question that is always asked: What is unfinished, or what more needs to be done? Well, it’s in the preamble of our Constitution: we exist in pursuit of a more perfect union,” he said.

“There’s nobody here today who thinks that this country is perfect. It is not a perfect country. But I don’t think there’s anybody today who believes we should give up on that pursuit … I do believe that I’m very well equipped and healthy enough to move into the next term … to continue that pursuit of perfection.”

Clyburn played a pivotal role in President Joe Biden’s 2020 election. His endorsement ahead of the South Carolina Democratic primary helped revive Biden’s campaign, leading to a decisive victory in the state after earlier losses in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada.

First elected to Congress in 1992, Clyburn represents South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District, which stretches from communities around the state capital of Columbia, South Carolina, through rural central and eastern counties to Charleston, South Carolina.

He said that if voters return him to office again, the next term could be his last, though he stopped short of making a definitive commitment.

Candidate filing in South Carolina closes March 30, and the state’s primary elections are scheduled for June 9.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.