President Joe Biden claimed a decisive win in the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary on Saturday, signaling a robust start to his pursuit of reelection in 2024. The triumph positions him strongly against anticipated Republican contender and former President Donald Trump.
The Democratic National Committee-sanctioned polls concluded at 7 p.m., with the Associated Press, promptly declaring Biden’s win by 7:23 p.m. Challengers Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) were overmatched, as initial counts showed Biden ahead with a staggering 97% of early votes.
At 81 years old and having announced his intention to run again last spring, Biden’s position had seen scrutiny from certain media and Democratic figures amid discussions surrounding his age and presidential tenure. Nevertheless, his performance in South Carolina appears to quiet those questioning his candidacy.
Prominent Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, had been touted as possible substitutes. However, Biden’s landslide primary victory dispels such speculation.
In celebratory remarks, South Carolina Democratic Party chair Christale Spain recognized the impact of African American voters. “Black voters have made our voices heard,” Spain said, aligning the primary win with a momentous launch into Black History Month and support for Biden’s White House bid.
South Carolina’s early voting statistics revealed particularly strong support from black voters, a cornerstone demographic for Biden’s base. These votes accounted for an overwhelming majority of ballots cast in the run-up to the primary.
Despite the success at the polls, the overall voter turnout was notably subdued, with some precincts in urban regions reporting low engagement by the afternoon. Reasons speculated include the open primary structure inviting cross-party participation and strategic political campaigning from opposition groups attempting to influence voter behavior for upcoming primaries.
In a departure from traditional campaign practices, President Biden did not visit the site of the primary night activities, opting instead for a multi-state week that concluded in Los Angeles, although he communicated with South Carolina constituents via local radio in advance of the primary.
Biden’s strategic decision to prioritize South Carolina over traditional early-voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire acknowledges the state’s demographic significance and contributions to his 2020 campaign revival. Political analysts suggest that such restructuring reflects the changing composition and priorities of the party at the national level.
