Your SC politics briefing
Good morning, and welcome to your weekly South Carolina politics briefing, a newsletter curated by The State’s politics and government team.
In a slew of attempts to block former President Donald Trump from his 2024 bid for the U.S. presidency, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled this week that Trump isn’t fit to compete in the state’s Republican primary due to his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
But the high court’s move in Colorado appears to have backfired, further attesting to one of Trump’s nicknames — Teflone Don.
Not only did GOP rivals seeking to defeat Trump on the campaign trail, including former Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Chrisie and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, rally in his corner, but the Colorado Republican Party also vowed to defy the court’s ruling by threatening to convert its presidential nominating process from a primary to a caucus system.
The move would effectively place the power of deciding the nation’s next Commander-in-Chief back in the hands of voters — something Haley, DeSantis, Christie and Ramaswamy have said is important — at least in Colorado.
Ramaswamy, who, unlike his contenders, has routinely defended Trump, said in a video statement that he will remove his name from the Colorado primary ballot until Trump is permitted to be on the ballot. Ramaswamy then called for Christie, DeSantis and Haley to do the same — none of whom, so far, despite their condemnation of the court’s decision, have pledged to do so.
The Colorado Supreme Court “has just tried to bar President Trump from the Colorado ballot using an unconstitutional maneuver that is a bastardization of the 14th Amendment to our U.S. Constitution,” Ramaswamy said in the video.
In a 4-3 decision, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump is ineligible to appear on the state’s primary ballot because of the 14th Amendment, which bars certain officials from holding office again if they “have engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the United States.
(Photo via Getty’s Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
2024 Bites
▪ Washington Post: Ron DeSantis wanted to change the way campaigns were funded. Then the fights started.
▪ CBS News: Haley gains on Trump in New Hampshire while he continues to dominate in Iowa
▪ Semafor: Tim Scott emerges as a 2024 kingmaker as rivals court his endorsement
▪ BBC: Can Donald Trump still run for president after Colorado ruling?
▪ CNN: The Supreme Court may decide the 2024 election. Here’s how
▪ ABC News: 5 things we don’t know heading into 2024 election
Buzz Bites
▪ In an occasional series of how elected officials are also regular human beings, Congressman Jim Clyburn told reporters Wednesday he was still taking care of some Christmas shopping. After a press event with Tameika Isaac Devine, the Democratic nominee in the Senate District 19 special election, Clyburn had to go to pick up a Christmas present for his granddaughter Layla.
“Layla is getting a new laptop computer,” Clyburn said. “She’s very creative, she draws a lot. She designs as a 12 year old, so I’m getting her an appropriate computer for Christmas. It’s going to set me back quite a bit, but I’m doing it.”
▪ A group of South Carolina lawmakers wants the state to recognize Juneteenth as a legal holiday, creating a paid day off for state employees.
▪ First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe on Monday invited state Rep. Micah Caskey, R-Lexington, to participate in a town hall or debate to further share with the public their stances on the judicial selection process in South Carolina.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 2, 2024
Senate District 19 special election
Jan. 9, 2024
State legislative session begins
Jan. 10, 2024
Artificial Intelligence House Ad Hoc Committee
Jan. 15, 2024
Iowa GOP Caucus
Jan. 23, 2024
New Hampshire Primary
Jan. 30, 2024
State House District 109 special primary election
Feb. 3, 2024
S.C. Democratic Party Presidential Primary
Feb. 6, 2024
Nevada Presidential Primary
Feb. 8, 2024
Nevada GOP Caucus
Feb. 24, 2024
S.C. GOP Presidential Primary
April 2, 2024
State House District 109 special election
Before we adjourn
As we conclude this edition of your politics briefing, let’s pause and remember the importance of joy and togetherness amid the holiday season.
Because our discussions often center around contentious debates relating to policy and governance, I think it’s important we take a moment to embrace the spirit of Christmas. That is, the warmth of family, the joy of giving, and just simply the “magic” of the season.
From everyone on The State’s politics team, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a season filled with goodwill, laughter and the company of loved ones, and we look forward to continuing this political journey with you in the coming year.
Happy holidays!
Pulling the newsletter together this week was Javon L. Harris, a reporter on The State’s politics and state government team. You can keep up with him on Twitter and send him tips on Twitter at @JavonLHarris_JD or by email at jaharris@thestate.com.
To stay on top of South Carolina politics and election news, you can chat with us on Facebook, email us tips and follow our stories at scpolitics.com.
This story was originally published December 22, 2023 at 8:37 AM.
