History of Jim Clyburn in Timeline
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.
July 21, 1940: James Enos Clyburn Born
On July 21, 1940, James Enos Clyburn was born. He would later become a U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 6th congressional district.
1961: Marriage to Emily England Clyburn
In 1961, Jim Clyburn married Emily England Clyburn, who remained his spouse until her death in 2019.
1965: Voting Rights Act
Before the Voting Rights Act of 1965, racial discrimination prompted the Supreme Court to require the 6th district to be redrawn as a black-majority district after the 1990 census.
1965: Democrat Representing Columbia
In 1965, before Jim Clyburn's election, it was the last time a Democrat represented a significant portion of Columbia.
1968: Orangeburg Massacre
In 1968, following the Orangeburg massacre where police killed three protesting students at South Carolina State, Jim Clyburn was appointed as the Commissioner of the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission.
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.
1970: Kent State and Jackson State Killings
In 1970, occurred the Kent State shootings and Jackson State killings, where student protesters demonstrating against the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War were killed.
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.
1981: Democrat Representing Charleston
In 1981, before Jim Clyburn's election, it was the last time a Democrat represented a significant portion of Charleston.
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.
1990: Redrawing of District Lines
In 1990, following the census, South Carolina's district lines were redrawn. Due to prior racial discrimination, the 6th district was reconfigured as a black-majority district.
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.
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.
2007: National Journal Ranking
In 2007, the National Journal ranked Jim Clyburn as the 77th most liberal U.S. representative.
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: Redistricting After 2010 Census
After the 2010 census, Jim Clyburn's district was reconfigured, shifting south to include majority-black precincts near Beaufort and Hilton Head Island.
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.
2014: Rating from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
In 2014, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists gave Jim Clyburn a rating of zero.
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.
2019: Death of Emily England Clyburn
In 2019, Emily England Clyburn, Jim Clyburn's wife since 1961, passed away.
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.
2020: Congressional redistricting process
In 2020, Jim Clyburn secretly worked with South Carolina Republicans during the Congressional redistricting process to dilute the state's Black vote.
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.
2022: NAACP Challenges South Carolina Redistricting
In 2022, the NAACP challenged South Carolina's redistricting as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
October 11, 2023: Arguments in the Supreme Court
On October 11, 2023, the case Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, was argued in the Supreme Court.
2023: End of Whip Role
In 2023, Jim Clyburn's tenure as House Majority Whip came to an end.
2023: ProPublica Report and Supreme Court Case
On October 11, 2023, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP case, concerning South Carolina's redistricting which was challenged as racial gerrymandering. The case followed a 2023 ProPublica report about Jim Clyburn's alleged secret collaboration with South Carolina Republicans during the 2020 Congressional redistricting to dilute the state's Black vote, resulting in a map favoring Republican control. The ruling siding with the State was made in the 2024 term.
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: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2024, Jim Clyburn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.
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.
2024: Supreme Court ruling siding with the State
In 2024, the Supreme Court made a ruling siding with the State over the NAACP case, filed as Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP.
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