The redistricting plan, urged on by President Donald Trump, would reshape the state's only Democratic-held U.S. House district to the Republicans' advantage as part of a broader national effort to retain the party's slim House majority in the fall.
Four Republicans voted against the bill after a 14-hour session that included reading the bill and all the Census data creating the maps for over three hours.
The bill now heads to the more skeptical state Senate, where some Republicans have questioned whether redistricting could backfire — making districts competitive enough for Democrats to gain seats instead of securing all seven for the GOP.
Trump had urged South Carolina to redraw its congressional districts ahead of November amid a fast-closing window to complete the work. Early primary voting starts May 26. If the proposal ultimately becomes law, South Carolina would delay its U.S. House primaries until later in the summer and spend at least $3 million on another statewide election — and likely face lawsuits against a new map.
“To President Trump," said Republican Rep. Luke Rankin who sponsored the bill. "I have your back and South Carolina Republicans have your back.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, whose seat is targeted, has said he will continue running for an 18th term even if his district gets changed.
