Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) has become the man of the hour for Democrats looking to launch a 2028 presidential bid, as he revealed that several lawmakers have reached out to him after the party swept up a House and Senate majority in the midterm elections.
Clyburn told Politico that he received phone calls from four individuals weighing a presidential bid as they try to woo the South Carolina heavyweight, with the state set to hold the first 2028 presidential primary.
The 17-term congressman, who secured reelection on Tuesday, said Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) called him after the election, but did not specify the other three who reached out in that time frame. However, he said he has recently chatted with Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
In addition to his recent conversations, Clyburn also floated in potential 2028-ers’ orbit leading up to the midterm elections, as he appeared on the campaign trail with Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD).
Positioning oneself in Clyburn’s favor is a must for Democrats seeking the Oval Office, as he is the highest-ranking black lawmaker, and endorsement is highly coveted. He holds significant sway over politics in the Palmetto State, particularly among black voters.
Clyburn’s influence was perhaps most evident during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, when his endorsement helped revive former President Joe Biden’s struggling campaign. Biden had suffered losses in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada before securing a decisive victory in South Carolina, building momentum that ultimately propelled him to the Democratic nomination.
Clyburn has previously indicated that he is open to endorsing a candidate in 2028, but told Politico that hopefuls’ resumes matter, saying governors and senators running will need to “demonstrate the ability to manage.”
“Don’t get carried away with sound bites and how many followers you got on the internet,” he warned.
HERE’S THE CAUCUS BREAKDOWN OF DEMOCRATS’ NEW HOUSE MAJORITY
The longtime lawmaker said he’s expecting a saturated field of Democrats in 2028, noting Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). Both potential candidates have hinted at a run and have traveled across the country stumping for midterm candidates.
Clyburn, however, did not mention former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg among the field. Buttigieg finished fourth in the 2020 presidential primary in South Carolina, but Clyburn said “how much better” he would perform in 2028 is unclear.