History of Jim Clyburn in Timeline

James Enos Clyburn is a U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 6th congressional district, first elected in 1992. He is currently serving his 17th term, representing a district with a significant African-American population. Since 2021, he has been the only Democrat in South Carolina's congressional delegation. He has also been the dean of the state's delegation since 2011.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 21, 1940: Birth of James Enos Clyburn

On July 21, 1940, James Enos Clyburn was born. He is an American politician and U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 6th congressional district.

1961: Clyburn Marries Emily England

In 1961, Jim Clyburn married Emily England, who remained his wife until her death in 2019.

1965: Voting Rights Act

Due to prior racial discrimination before the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Supreme Court required the 6th district, which had previously included the northeastern portion of the state, to be redrawn as a black-majority district.

1965: First Democrat Representing Columbia

In the election, Clyburn became the first Democrat to represent a significant portion of Columbia since 1965.

1968: Orangeburg Massacre

In 1968, the Orangeburg massacre occurred, during which police killed three protesting students at South Carolina State.

1969: Involvement in Charleston Hospital Strike

In 1969, Jim Clyburn became involved in politics during the Charleston hospital strike. He also assisted in St. Julian Devine's campaign for Charleston city council.

1970: Kent State and Jackson State Killings

In 1970, the Kent State shootings and Jackson State killings took place, in which the National Guard at Kent State, and police and state highway patrol at Jackson State, killed student protesters demonstrating against the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

1971: Advisor to Governor John C. West

In 1971, after an unsuccessful run for the South Carolina General Assembly, Jim Clyburn joined the staff of Governor John C. West as his advisor, becoming the first nonwhite advisor to a governor in South Carolina history.

1981: First Democrat Representing Charleston

In the election, Clyburn became the first Democrat to represent a significant portion of Charleston since 1981.

1988: Bill Clinton compares Obama's victory to that of Jesse Jackson

In 1988, Bill Clinton compared Barack Obama's victory to that of Jesse Jackson, which incensed black people.

1990: Redrawing of South Carolina's District Lines

After the 1990 census, South Carolina's district lines were redrawn, resulting in the reconfiguration of the 6th district as a black-majority district.

1992: Stepping Down to Run for Congress

In 1992, Jim Clyburn stepped down as the Commissioner of the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission to run for Congress.

1992: First Election to Congress

In 1992, Jim Clyburn was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing South Carolina's 6th congressional district.

1996: Clyburn Votes in Favor of the Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, Jim Clyburn voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, which restricted federal recognition of marriage to the union of a man and a woman.

December 19, 1998: Clyburn Voted Against Impeachment of President Bill Clinton

On December 19, 1998, Jim Clyburn voted against all four articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton.

2003: Election as Vice-Chairman

In 2003, Jim Clyburn was elected vice-chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

2004: Clyburn Supports Gephardt and Kerry in 2004 Democratic Primaries

In 2004, Jim Clyburn supported Dick Gephardt in the Democratic presidential primaries until he dropped out, after which he supported John Kerry. Clyburn also voted against counting Ohio's electoral votes amid disputes over irregularities.

2004: Vote Against Counting Ohio's Electoral Votes

In 2004, Jim Clyburn was one of 31 House Democrats who voted not to count Ohio's electoral votes in the presidential election.

2006: Becoming Chair of the House Democratic Caucus

In early 2006, Jim Clyburn became chair of the House Democratic Caucus after Bob Menendez was appointed to the Senate. After the Democrats won control of the House in the 2006 election, Clyburn was unanimously elected Majority Whip in the 110th Congress.

January 12, 2007: Interview on NPR's Morning Edition

On January 12, 2007, Jim Clyburn was interviewed by National Public Radio's Morning Edition, discussing the challenges of vote counting and rallying the Democratic caucus.

July 31, 2007: Broadcast Interview on Iraq War Funding

On July 31, 2007, Jim Clyburn stated in a broadcast interview that a positive report from General David Petraeus could create a "real big problem" for the Democratic Party regarding funding for the Iraq War.

2007: Third-Ranking House Democrat

From 2007 until 2023, Jim Clyburn was the third-ranking House Democrat, serving as majority whip and assistant Democratic leader.

2007: National Journal Ranking

In 2007, the National Journal ranked Jim Clyburn as the 77th most liberal U.S. representative.

2008: Defeat of Nancy Harrelson

In 2008, Jim Clyburn defeated Nancy Harrelson, securing 68% of the vote.

2008: Clyburn Endorses Obama

In 2008, Jim Clyburn initially remained publicly uncommitted but voted for Obama in the South Carolina primary. He later endorsed Obama on June 3, just before the Montana and South Dakota primaries.

2008: Clyburn Remains Neutral in 2008 Primary

In 2008, Jim Clyburn remained officially neutral during the primary battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. However, he voted for Obama in the South Carolina primary, leading to a heated discussion with Bill Clinton, who blamed Clyburn for Hillary's defeat. Clyburn defended his vote by saying he had to consider the future of his children and grandchildren.

2009: Introduction of Access for All Americans Act

In 2009, Jim Clyburn introduced the Access for All Americans Act, seeking $26 billion to increase community health centers.

2010: Redistricting after the 2010 Census

After the 2010 census, South Carolina's 6th congressional district was reconfigured, shifting southward and incorporating more majority-black precincts.

2010: Defeat of Jim Pratt

In 2010, Jim Clyburn defeated Jim Pratt, securing 65% of the vote.

2010: Contract for Plutonium Conversion

In 2010, Jim Clyburn pushed for a contract to convert plutonium from old weapons into nuclear fuel.

2010: House Minority Whip Deal

In 2010, after the Democrats lost their House majority, Jim Clyburn challenged Steny Hoyer for Minority Whip but ultimately accepted a newly created "Assistant Leader" position.

2011: House Assistant Democratic Leader

From 2011 to 2019, Jim Clyburn served as House Assistant Democratic Leader and again from 2023 to 2024.

2011: Dean of the State's Delegation

In 2011, Jim Clyburn became the dean of South Carolina's congressional delegation after John Spratt lost re-election.

2012: Defeat of Anthony Culler

In 2012, Jim Clyburn defeated Anthony Culler, securing 73% of the vote.

2012: Clyburn Publicly Supports Same-Sex Marriage in 2012

In 2012, after Obama's public endorsement of same-sex marriage, Jim Clyburn announced his support for same-sex marriage, stating that he had "evolved" from his previous disapproval rooted in his Christian faith and called for nationwide legislation of marriage equality.

2014: Rating from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

In 2014, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists gave Jim Clyburn a rating of zero based on his voting record.

2016: Clyburn Endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 Presidential Campaign

In 2016, Jim Clyburn endorsed Hillary Clinton in her presidential campaign.

January 2017: Clyburn Votes Against Resolution Condemning UN Security Council Resolution 2334

In January 2017, Jim Clyburn voted against a House resolution condemning the UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which criticized Israeli settlement building.

November 28, 2018: Elected House Majority Whip

On November 28, 2018, Jim Clyburn was elected to serve his second stint as House Majority Whip.

2018: Democrats took control of the House

In the 2018 midterm elections, the Democrats took control of the House, leading to Clyburn's re-election as majority whip in January 2019.

January 2019: Re-elected as Majority Whip

In January 2019, after the Democrats gained control of the House in the 2018 midterm elections, Jim Clyburn was re-elected as House Majority Whip.

December 18, 2019: Clyburn Voted for Impeachment of President Donald Trump

On December 18, 2019, Jim Clyburn voted for both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.

2019: Death of Emily England Clyburn in 2019

In 2019, Jim Clyburn's wife, librarian Emily England Clyburn, passed away.

February 26, 2020: Clyburn Endorses Joe Biden in 2020

On February 26, 2020, Jim Clyburn endorsed Joe Biden for president. This endorsement, three days before the South Carolina primary, was seen as pivotal, changing the trajectory of the race due to Clyburn's influence with African-American voters.

2020: Clyburn Comments on Buttigieg's Sexuality During 2020 Primaries

During the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, Jim Clyburn cited Pete Buttigieg's sexual orientation as a potential issue affecting his popularity.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Jim Clyburn played a pivotal role in the presidential election by endorsing Joe Biden three days before the South Carolina Democratic primary, which transformed Biden's campaign and contributed to him securing the Democratic nomination and the presidency.

2020: Congressional Redistricting Process

In 2023, ProPublica reported that in 2020, Clyburn secretly worked with South Carolina Republicans during the Congressional redistricting process to dilute the state's Black vote.

January 13, 2021: Clyburn Voted for Impeachment of President Donald Trump After Capitol Attack

On January 13, 2021, one week after the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Jim Clyburn voted for the single article of impeachment against Donald Trump.

2021: Sole Democrat in South Carolina Delegation

In 2021, following Joe Cunningham's departure, Jim Clyburn became the only Democrat in South Carolina's congressional delegation.

2022: Challengers to Clyburn

In 2022, Duke Buckner ran against Clyburn as a Republican, and Gregg Marcel Dixon ran against Clyburn as a Democrat.

2022: House Assistant Democratic Leader Election

In 2022, Republicans gained control of the House and Nancy Pelosi retired as leader of the House Democratic Caucus. In the 2022 United States House of Representatives Democratic Caucus leadership election, Jim Clyburn successfully sought the position as house assistant Democratic leader.

2022: NAACP Challenges South Carolina's Redistricting

In 2022, the NAACP challenged South Carolina's redistricting as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

October 11, 2023: Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP Argued in Supreme Court

On October 11, 2023, the case Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, concerning South Carolina's redistricting, was argued in the Supreme Court.

2023: End of Term as Third-Ranking House Democrat

In 2023, Jim Clyburn's term as the third-ranking House Democrat came to an end, having served in the role since 2007.

March 2024: Announcement of Re-election Run

In March 2024, Jim Clyburn announced his run for re-election.

November 2024: Clyburn Won Re-election

In November 2024, Jim Clyburn won re-election with 59.5% of the vote.

2024: House Assistant Democratic Leader

From 2011 to 2019, Jim Clyburn served as House Assistant Democratic Leader and again from 2023 to 2024.

2024: Clyburn supports Biden pardoning Trump for Trump's felony indictments

In 2024, Jim Clyburn stated that he would support President Joe Biden pardoning Donald Trump for Trump's felony indictments.

2024: Clyburn Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024

In 2024, Jim Clyburn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.

2024: Clyburn Supports Biden and Harris in 2024

In 2024, amid calls for Biden to withdraw from his 2024 presidential campaign, Jim Clyburn stated his support for Biden, but also indicated he would back Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate if Biden were to withdraw, which eventually came to happen.