The GOP-led South Carolina Senate on Tuesday voted against a plan to advance a new congressional map that would at least temporarily end the state’s redistricting effort. The chamber cast 26 votes against the proposal with 18 in favor.
Some Republican lawmakers argued it was too late to alter the state’s congressional map ahead of midterm elections. “I can no longer support the passage of this bill for one simple reason: South Carolina citizens are going to the polls today,” said Republican state Senator Richard Cash. “Neither my conscience nor common sense will allow me to stop an election that has already begun.”
A motion to end debate on the issue failed, derailing a push that could have granted Republicans full control of the seven-member congressional delegation. The vote represents a setback for President Trump and other national Republicans who have urged red states to implement redistricting measures to minimize losses and secure new victories ahead of November’s elections.
Earlier this month, the South Carolina House of Representatives approved new congressional lines following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that weakened a section of the Voting Rights Act. South Carolina’s primary elections are scheduled for early June, during which the state’s Democratic Party chair labeled renewed redistricting discussions “reckless” amid reports of thousands of absentee ballots already being sent out.
White House advisers were unexpectedly caught off guard by the Senate’s rejection. One adviser described it as a “betrayal,” noting, “We knew it was bumpy all along, never a guarantee.” The adviser added, “But the votes were there on the last vote and nothing changed.” They also stated the White House had not received advance notice from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster about the vote, instead learning through Attorney General Alan Wilson and “a couple” of state senators.
South Carolina is not the first Republican-controlled state to oppose Trump’s redistricting agenda. In December, the Indiana Senate rejected a redrawn congressional map in a dramatic floor vote despite heavy White House pressure. Earlier this month, President Trump retaliated by backing five primary challengers against Republican lawmakers who defied his demands.
All South Carolina Senate members are up for re-election in 2028. A longtime South Carolina Republican operative warned that “these next two years will bring h from the MAGA grassroots wing of the party, which is already skeptical of many of these old guard GOP senators.” Earlier this month, Republicans in the state Senate had signaled resistance to redrawing congressional maps during regular sessions but called lawmakers into a special session under White House and national Republican pressure after the vote.