South Carolina’s McMaster to call special session to redraw House map
Gov. Henry McMaster plans to bring South Carolina lawmakers back to Columbia after a Republican-backed effort to redraw the state’s congressional map collapsed in the state Senate.The push, encouraged by President Donald Trump, aims to flip South Carolina’s only Democratic seat-Rep. Jim Clyburn’s 6th Congressional District-before the 2026 midterm elections,potentially by dismantling or reshaping the district’s majority-black base to shift Democratic voters into neighboring Republican areas.
A Senate vote failed because it did not reach the required two-thirds majority, with five Republican senators joining Democrats to block it. Opponents warned that aggressive redistricting could backfire politically-making safe Republican seats more competitive or energizing Democratic turnout-while Clyburn said he remains confident he can win reelection regardless of map changes. The renewed effort comes amid a broader wave of Southern states revisiting congressional maps after a Supreme Court ruling weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act.
Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) plans to call South Carolina lawmakers back to Columbia after a Republican effort to redraw the state’s congressional map collapsed in the state Senate earlier this week, according to multiple reports.
The move would revive an effort backed by President Donald Trump and state GOP leaders to redraw congressional lines in hopes of turning South Carolina’s lone Democratic-held congressional seat Republican before the 2026 midterm elections.
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The proposal would likely target the 6th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), the state’s only Democrat in Congress.
Trump publicly pressured South Carolina Republicans to move forward with redistricting, urging lawmakers to “be bold and courageous” and to delay congressional primaries until August to allow for a new map.
A Senate vote Tuesday to allow lawmakers to return after the regular legislative session ended failed to secure the two-thirds majority required, with five Republican senators joining Democrats to block the measure.
Among the Republicans opposing the effort was state Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, who warned that aggressively redrawing districts could backfire politically and make currently safe Republican seats more competitive.
The proposed redraw would attempt to dismantle or significantly alter the majority-black 6th District, redistributing Democratic voters into neighboring Republican districts and potentially creating a 7-0 GOP delegation.
Critics, including some Republicans, argued the move risked energizing Democratic turnout and could weaken Republican incumbents in suburban districts.
Clyburn was also skeptical of how much redistricting would affect his bid for reelection.
“I don’t know why people think I could not get reelected if they redistrict South Carolina,” Clyburn told CNN. “I have a district that’s about 45% African-American. I have no idea what the number will be after the legislature finishes, but whatever that number is, I will be running on my record and America’s promise.”
The renewed push follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that weakened portions of the Voting Rights Act, prompting Republican-led states across the South, including Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana, to revisit their congressional maps ahead of the midterm elections.
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Fox Carolina first reported Wednesday that McMaster would call lawmakers back Friday morning for a special session.
The Washington Examiner reached out to McMaster’s office for comment.
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