History of Jaime Harrison in Timeline

Jaime R. Harrison is an American attorney and politician affiliated with the Democratic Party. He served as the South Carolina Democratic Party chair from 2013 to 2017 and later became the chair of the Democratic National Committee. In 2020, he ran for a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina against incumbent Lindsey Graham but was unsuccessful.

February 5, 1976: Birth of Jaime R. Harrison

On February 5, 1976, Jaime R. Harrison was born. He would later become a prominent American attorney and politician.

1994: Harrison Selected for Senate Youth Program

In 1994, Harrison was selected to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program.

1998: Harrison Begins Teaching Career

After graduating from Yale in 1998, Harrison worked as a teacher at his previous high school.

1999: Harrison Joins College Summit

In 1999, Harrison became the chief operating officer of College Summit, a non-profit organization focused on assisting low-income youth in pursuing college and career paths.

2004: Harrison Earns Law Degree

In 2004, Harrison graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, earning his Juris Doctor degree.

2008: Harrison Meets Future Wife, Marie Boyd

Harrison met his wife, Marie Boyd, in Washington, D.C. shortly after the 2008 United States presidential election. She is a law professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law.

May 2013: Harrison Makes History as South Carolina Democratic Party Chair

In May 2013, Harrison made history by becoming the first African American to serve as the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

2013: Harrison Becomes South Carolina Democratic Party Chair

In 2013, Jaime Harrison served as the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

2015: Harrison Co-Teaches with Matt Moore at University of South Carolina

In the fall semester of 2015, Harrison and Matt Moore, the former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, co-taught a course at the University of South Carolina, demonstrating their friendship despite their political differences.

February 2017: Harrison Announces Candidacy for DNC Chair

In February 2017, Harrison announced his candidacy for chairperson of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

February 23, 2017: Harrison Ends Bid for DNC Chair, Endorses Tom Perez

On February 23, 2017, Harrison ended his campaign for DNC chair and gave his endorsement to Tom Perez.

2017: Harrison Runs for DNC Chair

In 2017, Harrison ran for chairperson of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

February 7, 2019: Harrison Announces Candidacy for US Senate

On February 7, 2019, Harrison officially filed to run for the U.S. Senate against Lindsey Graham in the 2020 election.

May 2019: Gloria Bromell Tinubu Enters Senate Race

In May 2019, economist Gloria Bromell Tinubu announced her candidacy for the US Senate seat in South Carolina.

May 29, 2019: Harrison Launches Senate Campaign

Harrison officially launched his campaign for the US Senate on May 29, 2019.

January 2020: Tinubu Drops Out of Senate Race, Endorses Harrison

In January 2020, Tinubu withdrew from the Senate race and endorsed Harrison.

June 9, 2020: Harrison Becomes Democratic Nominee for US Senate

On June 9, 2020, Harrison became the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in South Carolina after running unopposed.

October 3, 2020: Harrison and Graham Participate in Senate Debate

On October 3, 2020, Harrison and Graham participated in a debate hosted by Allen University, which was held without an audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Harrison's Policy Positions During Senate Campaign

During the 2020 Senate election, Harrison advocated for the expansion of Medicaid, increased coronavirus relief efforts, and criticized Graham's attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He also expressed support for the legalization of cannabis.

2020: Harrison Runs for US Senate

In 2020, Harrison ran against incumbent senator Lindsey Graham for the South Carolina U.S. Senate seat.

2020: Harrison Breaks Fundraising Records

In the third quarter of 2020, Harrison set new fundraising records, amassing $57 million, the highest quarterly sum ever raised by a U.S. Senate candidate, surpassing Beto O'Rourke's previous record in the 2018 Texas Senate election. He also achieved the highest-ever fundraising total by a U.S. Senate candidate, again breaking a record previously held by O'Rourke.