U.S. congressman Jim Clyburn will join Columbia, S.C. attorney and Democratic gubernatorial candidate James Smith on a series of stops across South Carolina on Good Friday, according to a release from Smith’s campaign.
Clyburn and Smith will attend events in Kingstree, Sumter and Orangeburg, S.C., according to the release.
Here’s the schedule …
Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. EDT
Williamsburg County Recreation Center
2084 Thurgood Marshall Hwy
Kingstree, SC 295556
Fish Luncheon: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Mt. Zion Baptist Church Family Life Center
325 West Fulton Street
Sumter, SC 29150
Community Fish Fry: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EDT
The Premiere of Orangeburg
1235 Five Chop Road
Orangeburg, SC 29115
“I am proud Congressman Clyburn will be joining me on the trail as I meet with voters across our great state this Good Friday,” Smith said.
According to Smith’s campaign, there is “no announcement (regarding) an endorsement” from Clyburn. Well … not “at this time,” anyway.
Still, Clyburn’s show of support for Smith is a good sign for the latter’s candidacy … at least during the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
As the primary season unfolds, Smith is being pushed to the left by a pair of “progressive” candidates – Florence, S.C. attorney Marguerite Willis and Charleston, S.C. businesswoman Phil Noble. In fact the resulting schism threatens to further marginalize Democrats at the statewide level (to the extent that’s possible).
The Palmetto State’s perpetual minority party hasn’t won a statewide race since 2006 and hasn’t won a governor’s election since 1998. Smith is probably the Dems best bet to break that streak, but his odds are long even if a perfect storm develops (i.e. an indicted GOP nominee and the entry into the race of multiple third party candidates who splinter the state’s monolithic “Republican” straight ticket).
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? Please feel free to submit your own guest column or letter to the editor via-email HERE. Got a tip for us? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner: James Smith for Governor