Five South Carolina Republicans joined Democrats Tuesday to block a Trump-backed redistricting push that could have helped the GOP target the state’s lone Democratic-held House seat.
The state Senate voted 29-17 on a proposal to take up redistricting after the regular legislative session ends, falling two votes short of the two-thirds threshold needed to move forward. The vote came after President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, urging South Carolina Republicans to “GET IT DONE!” and said he would be “watching closely.”
The South Carolina redistricting plan comes amid a broader national redistricting battle ahead of the 2026 midterms, as Republicans in several states look to redraw congressional maps to protect or expand their House majority. Other GOP-led states, including Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama, have moved to revisit maps after a landmark Supreme Court decision, Louisiana v. Callais, ended institutionalized racism in the American election system.
Republicans currently hold six of the state’s seven congressional seats. The proposed redistricting map could have eliminated the state’s only democratic seat, represented by longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn.
“Our state is stronger with vibrant parties,” Republican state Senate Leader Shane Massey said at the State Capitol on Tuesday, adding, “Republicans are stronger when the Democrat party is vibrant and vital.”
Massey added that the current map already favors Republicans and any plans to adjust the maps could backfire on Republicans.
Massey did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster noted that there are still two full days in the session and has called on the legislature to “finish its important work.”
The General Assembly still has two full days in which to finish its important work, including giving full consideration – as sought by the people – to the important question of redistricting. I urge the General Assembly to finish its work according to the U.S. and South Carolina…
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) May 13, 2026
“Governor McMaster must call for a special session. The time to act is now.” Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is running for the soon-to-be-open Governor’s seat, said Tuesday, WOLO reported.
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