Career Timeline of Jim Clyburn: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Jim Clyburn built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

James Enos Clyburn is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 6th congressional district, a position he has held since 1992. Representing a district with a significant African-American population, Clyburn is a prominent figure in South Carolina politics. Following Joe Cunningham's departure in 2021, Clyburn became the sole Democrat in South Carolina's congressional delegation, and has been the dean of the state's delegation since 2011, following John Spratt's re-election loss.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1969: Involvement in Charleston Hospital Strike and Devine's Campaign

In 1969, Jim Clyburn became involved in politics during the Charleston hospital strike and assisted in the settlement of protests at the Medical University of South Carolina. He also helped with St. Julian Devine's campaign for Charleston city council, creating the slogan "Devine for Ward Nine." Devine's win marked the first African American on the council since Reconstruction, and Clyburn credits this campaign as his entry into electoral politics.

1971: Advisor to Governor John C. West

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

1988: Bill Clinton's remarks on Obama's victory

In 1988, Jesse Jackson won the primary. In 2008, Bill Clinton compared Obama's victory to Jackson's victory.

1992: Stepping Down as Commissioner

In 1992, Jim Clyburn stepped down from his position 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 as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 6th congressional district.

1996: Vote in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, Jim Clyburn voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which restricted federal recognition of marriage to heterosexual unions and allowed states to deny recognition of same-sex marriages from other states.

December 19, 1998: Vote Against Impeachment of President Bill Clinton

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

2003: Elected Vice-Chairman

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

2004: Support in 2004 Democratic Presidential Primaries

In 2004, Jim Clyburn initially supported Dick Gephardt in the Democratic presidential primaries, later supporting John Kerry after Gephardt withdrew. Clyburn was among those who voted against counting Ohio's electoral votes due to disputed irregularities.

2006: 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. Following the Democratic victory in the 2006 election, Clyburn was unanimously elected Majority Whip.

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

On January 12, 2007, Jim Clyburn was interviewed on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, where he discussed the challenges of rallying the Democratic caucus while holding the House majority.

2007: House Democratic Leadership Role

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

2008: Defeated Nancy Harrelson

In 2008, Jim Clyburn defeated Nancy Harrelson, winning 68% to 32%.

2008: Neutrality in 2008 Primary

In 2008, Jim Clyburn remained officially neutral during the primary battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but ultimately voted for Obama. Bill Clinton blamed Clyburn for Hillary's defeat in South Carolina, leading to a heated exchange. Clyburn criticized Bill Clinton's remarks comparing Obama's win to Jesse Jackson's 1988 victory.

2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama

In 2008, despite remaining publicly uncommitted for most of the presidential primary elections, Jim Clyburn voted for Barack Obama in the South Carolina primary and officially endorsed him on June 3 before the Montana and South Dakota primaries.

2009: Introduced Access for All Americans Act

In 2009, Jim Clyburn introduced the Access for All Americans Act, which sought $26 billion to increase the number of community health centers in the US.

2010: Defeated Jim Pratt

In 2010, Jim Clyburn defeated Jim Pratt, winning 65% to 34%.

2010: Pushed for Nuclear Fuel Conversion Contract

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

2010: House Leadership Changes

In 2010, after the Democrats lost their House majority, Jim Clyburn challenged Steny Hoyer for Minority Whip but ultimately a deal was reached where Hoyer remained Minority Whip and Clyburn was given a newly created "Assistant Leader" position.

2011: House Assistant Democratic Leader

In 2011, Jim Clyburn became the House assistant Democratic leader.

2011: Dean of the Delegation

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

2012: Defeated Anthony Culler

In 2012, Jim Clyburn defeated Anthony Culler, winning 73% to 25%.

2012: Support for Same-Sex Marriage

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. He advocated for nationwide legislation of marriage equality.

2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton in 2016 Presidential Campaign

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

January 2017: Vote on 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 Take Control of House

In the 2018 midterm elections, the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives.

January 2019: Reelected as Majority Whip

In January 2019, at the opening of the 116th Congress, Jim Clyburn was reelected as House Majority Whip after the Democrats gained control of the House in the 2018 midterm elections.

December 18, 2019: Vote For Impeachment of President Donald Trump

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

February 26, 2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

On February 26, 2020, Jim Clyburn's endorsement of Joe Biden was pivotal in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, significantly influencing the South Carolina primary and altering the trajectory of the race.

2020: Comments on Pete Buttigieg's Sexual Orientation

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

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Jim Clyburn played a crucial role in the presidential election by endorsing Joe Biden three days before the South Carolina Democratic primary. This endorsement helped transform Biden's campaign, leading to his nomination and eventual presidency.

January 13, 2021: Vote 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 President Donald Trump.

2021: Only Democrat in South Carolina's Delegation

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

2022: Previous Election

In 2022, Duke Buckner and Gregg Marcel Dixon both ran against Jim Clyburn.

2022: House Assistant Democratic Leader Election

In 2022, Jim Clyburn successfully sought the position of House Assistant Democratic Leader after Republicans gained control of the House and Nancy Pelosi retired as leader of the House Democratic Caucus.

2023: End of Whip Role

In 2023, Jim Clyburn's tenure as House Majority Whip came to an end.

March 2024: Re-election Announcement

In March 2024, Jim Clyburn announced his campaign for re-election to his congressional seat.

November 2024: Won Re-election

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

2024: House assistant Democratic leader

In 2024, Jim Clyburn ended his stint as House assistant Democratic leader.

2024: Support for Pardoning Donald Trump

In 2024, Jim Clyburn expressed his support for President Joe Biden pardoning Donald Trump for his felony indictments.

2024: Support for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

In 2024, despite calls for Biden to withdraw, Jim Clyburn supported Biden's 2024 presidential campaign and indicated he would support Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden were to withdraw, which eventually came to happen.