South Carolina senators reject Trump-backed redistricting push

The Republican-led South Carolina Senate on Tuesday struck down a bill that would have launched a redistricting effort in the state. This comes as a flurry of other states have undertaken their own redistricting efforts. 

The resolution would have extended the state’s legislative session, which is set to end Thursday afternoon, and did not reach the two-thirds support necessary. Five Republicans voted against the measure. 

South Carolina’s primaries are set for June 9. The state currently has one sole Democrat in the House, longtime Rep James Clyburn, who represents the state’s seventh congressional district, the only majority-black district in the state. 

On Monday night, Trump had urged the state’s Senate to pass the measure. The State House had previously approved the resolution. "The South Carolina State Senate has a big vote tomorrow on Redistricting. I’m watching closely, along with all Republicans across the Country," Trump wrote. "South Carolina Republicans: BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS, just like the Republicans of the Great State of Tennessee were last week! Move the U.S. House Primaries to August, leave the rest on the same schedule. Everything will be fine. GET IT DONE!"

During a floor speech amid debate on the measure, Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey spoke out against redrawing the map. "I believe that our state is stronger with vibrant parties. I think we, as a whole, are stronger when we have a clash of ideas. I think that’s true at the national level. I think it’s true at the state level. We are stronger when we have a clash of ideas and we can discuss those policy goals," he said. "Republicans are stronger when the Democrat Party is vibrant and viable," per NBC News. 

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson called the move a "missed opportunity" for the state. "Trump and the Court made it clear that states like ours have the opportunity and the authority to redraw congressional districts in a constitutional way. South Carolina missed that opportunity. Now, all eyes are on the Governor. Governor McMaster must call for a special session. The time to act is now."