South Carolinians will recognize the DNC chairman as he gavels in for Harris nomination
When the Democratic National Convention begins Monday, one person who may make some of the most appearances on television cameras will be a man who grew up in Orangeburg.
The convention in Chicago marks the homestretch for Jaime Harrison’s term as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Much of the focus will undoubtedly be on Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. But Harrison will be on camera gaveling in the convention. He’ll be honored at a reception Thursday afternoon. A documentary about his 2020 Senate race will be screened Monday and he’ll participate afterwards during in a question and answer session.
Harrison will have a staring role during the week Democrats give their message to the country, which includes Harris’ acceptance speech at the United Center.
“Walking into this building and seeing the stage lit up and podiums and all, I got goosebumps,” Harrison said in a brief phone interview Saturday. “Never in my life that I ever really imagined this moment would happen that I would be up on that stage gaveling in.”
Harrison, a former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman who ran against U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, in what was the most expensive U.S. Senate race at the time, will leave the chairmanship early next year.
But before his departure, he will oversee the party’s efforts to turn out Democratic voters in November’s elections.
During his time as chairman, the Democratic Party avoided a red wave during the midterm elections as the party in the White House traditionally has heavy losses. Democrats gained a seat in the Senate and only ended up ceding a nine-seat majority to Republicans in House.
“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do for the last three-and-a-half years,” Harrison said. “Part of what we’ve been able to do has been rebuild the infrastructure of the Democratic Party not only in our battleground states but across the country.”
When the Democratic Party’s nomination process started, South Carolina kicked off the primaries. The change from Iowa and New Hampshire put the Palmetto State in the spotlight.
The nominating process was never truly a competitive contest as President Joe Biden didn’t face any serious challengers. But Biden stepped aside, allowing Harris to be the nominee.
Harrison may not be in the chairmanship when Democrats set up their nominating primary order for 2028, but he said he wants to fight to keep South Carolina first in the nation for the next presidential cycle.
“It demonstrated in this first time being first in the nation, how successful that was. It has demonstrated year after presidential year that what happens in South Carolina dictates what happens nationally for who becomes the Democratic nominee,” Harrison said.
After his term ends, Harrison said he plans to take some time away and spend time with his family.
“I’m going to take a little sabbatical. It’s time for me to rest a little bit, to spend some time with my boys, take my wife (Marie Boyd) on a lot of dates nand just relax a little bit,” Harrison said.
Almost immediately after that 2020 Senate run, which kicked off in May 2019, he was picked to be DNC chairman. So Harrison hasn’t had time away from politics in six years.
“My wife is a saint. It’s been a tremendous sacrifice for her and the boys,” Harrison said. “I need to take a break ... As Tim Walz said, ‘you sleep when you’re dead.’”
This story was originally published August 19, 2024 at 10:28 AM.
