Kingmaker Clyburn to endorse Biden ahead of South Carolina primary

The Biden campaign is hoping the endorsement from the heavyweight Democrat will keep the former VP's chance at the nomination alive, as Sanders surges

By Sophie Mann

Published: February 24, 2020 8:27am

Updated: February 24, 2020 1:40pm

South Carolinian political kingmaker Rep. Jim Clyburn is expected to endorse Joe Biden ahead of the state's Democratic presidential primary this weekend.

Clyburn, the House majority whip and Congressional Black Caucus member, said Sunday that he would endorse Biden by Wednesday -- four days ahead of his state's primary.

Biden’s campaign has taken a beating the past few weeks -- the result of the candidate's consistently middling debate performances and disappointing finishes in the first three state contests.

The result of the South Carolina primary could likely determine the fate of the former vice president's campaign, with supporters hoping a win on Saturday will invigorate support ahead of Super Tuesday. The March 3 balloting includes 14 states and will result in about one-third of the 3,979 delegates being allocated.

Clyburn, the highest ranking African-American member of Congress, annually hosts the “World Famous Fish Fry,” in his home state. The event, which coincides with the state Democratic Party’s gala dinner, is considered the must attend social event of the season for presidential contenders.

At the time of last year’s Fish Fry, Biden, who has a historically close and personal relationship with Clyburn, was the frontrunner. Biden also has strong support from African-American voters. South Carolina's African-American population is nearly 28 percent.

Sirens are sounding loudly inside the moderate wing of the Democratic Party as the Sanders campaign quickens from a trot to a gallup toward the nomination. Though, according to Clyburn, Sanders’ brand of politics may not appeal to his constituency.

“South Carolinians are pretty leery about that title socialist,” he recently said on ABC’s This Week.

Clyburn said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press that he would endorse Biden on Wednesday morning.

He previously assured Democratic National Committee officials that he would not publicly endorse anyone before Tuesday’s debate.

“If I believe my constituents need to hear my vision, as to what candidate will be best to vote for on Feb. 29, I will do that, I will let that be known,” Clyburn said two weeks ago.