South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is taking steps to convene lawmakers for a special legislative session focused on redistricting, multiple outlets report. The session is described as occurring next week or being formally announced in the coming days, with state Senate and House leadership working through plans to consider a new congressional map before the November midterm elections.
Coverage agrees that the proposed changes are aimed at reshaping South Carolina’s congressional districts in a way that benefits Republicans. Several reports say the effort centers on the state’s only Democratic U.S. House seat, currently held by longtime Rep. Jim Clyburn. NBC News and others report that Republicans seek to eliminate a majority-minority seat held by Clyburn ahead of the elections.
While most accounts emphasize the Republican push to redraw districts, The New York Times also reports that some Republicans have qualms about the approach, including concerns about political and legal or financial risks. The Times further notes that while McMaster calls for the special session, he stops short of directly ordering lawmakers to produce a specific map. Across the reports, the redistricting push is presented as part of broader national efforts by both parties to gain House seats.
