McMaster Calls Special Session to Redraw 7 House Districts, Targeting Clyburn's Democratic Seat
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 14
McMaster Calls Special Session to Redraw 7 House Districts, Targeting Clyburn's Democratic Seat
9 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 14
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster plans to summon lawmakers for a special session focused on redrawing the state's congressional map, a move that could erase the state's only Democratic U.S. House district held by James E. Clyburn.
Five Republican state senators joined Democrats a day earlier to block a resolution to bring the legislature back for redistricting, a vote that had appeared to shut down the effort.
McMaster had recently said he would leave the issue to the Republican-controlled General Assembly, but he now appears ready to intervene directly after lawmakers weighed extending their session only if he stayed out.
Trump has pushed for Republicans to capture all 7 of South Carolina's congressional districts before the midterms, as redistricting fights across the South intensified after last month's Supreme Court setback for the Voting Rights Act.
What are the risks when state leaders disagree on redrawing maps just before an election?
How will a special $2 million primary affect voter turnout on such short notice?
South Carolina’s 2026 Redistricting Crisis: Senate Blocks GOP Push to Redraw Clyburn’s 6th District
Overview
As of May 14, 2026, South Carolina’s push for mid-decade congressional redistricting stalled when the state Senate failed to secure enough votes to add the issue to its special session agenda. Despite strong Republican control, five GOP senators, including Majority Leader Shane Massey, joined Democrats to block the measure. As a result, the 2026 elections will use the same district lines as in 2022 and 2024. Governor Henry McMaster declined to comment, maintaining his position that the legislature should decide. This internal split highlights ongoing debates over political strategy and election integrity within the state.