Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) revealed Wednesday his intention to step down from his Democratic leadership role in Congress. However, he will still be running for reelection in 2024.
In a statement, the South Carolina Democrat said he informed Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) that he would be leaving the position on the caucus leadership team. He expressed confidence in the current Democratic leadership, including Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA), to “continue the important work of putting people over politics.”
Clyburn did not cite his reasoning for stepping down.
He explained that he would be seeking reelection to his congressional seat at 83 years old. “Events of the last several years have made it clear that the greatness of America is at peril, and the threats to our continued pursuit of ‘a more perfect Union’ are real,” the congressman said.
“I look forward to continuing to work alongside my Democratic colleagues in the 118th Congress, and beyond, to regain a Democratic Majority, retain our Senate Majority, and rally Americans to reelect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,” Clyburn added.
Clyburn was largely credited with carrying President Joe Biden to the Democratic nomination after his endorsement ahead of the South Carolina primary in 2020. As something of a kingmaker among black South Carolinians and Democrats, Biden has relied on Clyburn’s guidance and support. The South Carolina Democrat remains a top surrogate of the president, appearing with him before the largely uncontested Democratic primary earlier this month.
Clyburn’s influence and South Carolina’s support of Biden were understood to be part of the Democratic National Committee’s decision to move up South Carolina in the primary calendar, taking the top spot. Biden himself had pushed for this change after the state managed to launch him to the finish line during a competitive primary cycle in the last election.
In 2022, after losing the House majority to Republicans, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced plans to step back at 81 and 82, respectively. Clyburn similarly revealed his plan to leave his post as majority whip; however, the South Carolina Democrat would remain in leadership in the new assistant Democratic leader role.
The new representatives selected to steer the Democratic Party in the House were each decades the junior of the previous leaders, including Jeffries, Clark, and Aguilar. This shift was seen as the party’s decision to usher in a new generation of leadership to match the party’s base.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Hoyer and Pelosi decided to stay in Congress, and each announced their intention to seek reelection in 2024 as well.
It’s unclear if the assistant Democratic leader position will be assumed by anyone else.