Joe Biden Wins South Carolina’s First-in-the-Nation Democratic Primary as Campaign Moves On
President Joe Biden emerged victorious in South Carolina’s Democratic primary, further cementing his support among Black voters who played a crucial role in his election four years ago. The Associated Press declared Biden the winner just 23 minutes after polls closed across the state. This win not only bolsters Biden’s hope of winning the Presidency again but also elevates the significance of Black voters in shaping the party’s nominee.
Biden, however, now faces a tougher challenge as he leaves South Carolina and heads to Nevada and Michigan, where he will face voters in the coming days. Despite the victory, Biden’s focus has shifted towards rallying Black voters, who will be essential to his re-election bid in November.
In South Carolina, Biden is expected to secure all 55 of the state’s convention delegates, while his competitors, Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, are projected to finish far behind. These delegates will cast their ballots at the party’s national convention in Chicago later this summer.
Reflecting on his win, Biden expressed gratitude to the voters of South Carolina, acknowledging their role in reviving his campaign and propelling him towards victory. The state’s support was instrumental in securing the Democratic nomination in 2020 and ultimately winning the White House.
Despite South Carolina’s historical lack of support for Democratic candidates in general elections, Black voters overwhelmingly favor Democrats in presidential contests. Recognizing their importance, Biden urged the Democratic National Committee to prioritize the state as the first on the 2024 nominating calendar, giving voters of color greater influence in selecting the party’s nominee.
Leading up to the primary, Biden and his campaign concentrated their efforts on mobilizing Black voters. Post and Courier reporters found that voters had a variety of reasons for supporting the President, citing his fairness and drawing sharp contrasts with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.
While Biden was not present in South Carolina to celebrate his victory, he took the opportunity to reach out to Black voters through radio interviews. He credited the state with being the reason he holds the presidency, emphasizing its significance in his political journey.
As his campaign progresses, Biden will continue to rely on the support of Black voters while appealing to a wider electorate. The results from South Carolina serve as a strong foundation for his re-election bid, but the road ahead will bring new challenges and opportunities as he seeks to secure the Democratic nomination once again.
This story is ongoing, and updates will be provided as events unfold.
