South Carolina Democratic Primaries 2020

Every four years, presidential hopefuls barnstorm South Carolina to curry voters. The state is significant politically because its primaries are among the earliest in the country, and because the majority of voting Democrats are African American. Students’ coverage of the campaigns culminates with the election itself on Feb. 29, 2020.

Grassroots

At the end of 2019, 11 Democrats are on the South Carolina ballot. Their campaign organizations reflect the personalities and pocketbooks of the candidates. Volunteers and staff work out of campaign offices making calls, registering voters and attending community events.

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An Amy Klobuchar sign outside of a voting poll.

King Day at the Dome

The S.C. NAACP’s King Day at the Dome becomes a last-minute must-attend event for candidates who desire acceptance among the African American community. It’s held every year on Martin Luther King Day, on the capitol steps in Columbia. Eight of the remaining 10 candidates join local leaders at the rally.

Photos taken during the march and during the speaches

MLK supporter holding a newspaper next to a larger sign.

Elizabeth Warren and Amy klobuchar sitting next to each other before the event.

Rallying Cries

National candidates and their surrogates zigzagged South Carolina to build support and promote their platforms. Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders win contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, so the other candidates are determined to make their mark. Once thought to be the heir apparent for the Democratic nomination, Joe Biden struggles to stay relevant. It’s win or die for Biden and for billionaire investor Tom Steyer, who also chooses to make his stand in South Carolina by courting the black vote. Democrats are all minorities in this bright red state, and they come out in droves to bask in the attention.

Bernie Sanders

The senator from Vermont builds a vast organization based on a platform of Democratic Socialism. Even in conservative South Carolina, he attracts vocal volunteers, famous surrogates and emotional crowds at every appearance. His fans are diverse and angry.

Pete Buttigeig

The mayor from the Midwest campaigns on a moderate platform. Low-budget rallies reflect his small-town friendly attitude mixed with a mandate for inclusiveness. A relative newcomer to national politics, he struggles to develop contacts in the African American community.

Outside of Pete Buttigieg's rally the night before voting.

Pete Buttigieg in Irmo South Carolina meet and greet.

"Miss Black America" opens up Pete's rally.

Elizabeth Warren

As the last viable female in the race, it’s not surprising that women flock to Sen. Warren’s rallies. Her budget is tight, but she is able to make a few appearances while in South Carolina for the televised debate in Charleston.

Joe Biden

On the day of the New Hampshire primaries, Biden makes a surprise appearance in South Carolina, signaling that he is staking everything on the fact that the South Carolina primaries will demonstrate his ties to the African American community, and thus his electability in a national election.

The crowd cheers on Jill Biden as she gives her speech.

Tom Steyer

The Tom Steyer Factor Hedge fund investor Tom Steyer spends millions on media throughout the country, but 90 percent of his appearances are in South Carolina. He even moves to South Carolina for the duration of the campaign. He neglects primaries in the north to aggressively court the Southern vote, championing economic justice and supporting local minority businesses. Upon finishing third in the S.C. primaries, he makes an emotional speech to his loyal followers, suspending his campaign for president. His strategy fails, but it creates a unique bond between him and S.C. residents.

Counselwoman Edith Chiles hypes up the crowd during the preshow.

Supporter waves sign that says "Invest in HBCUs"

Tom Steyer shows his support for his minority voters with a chant.

Voting Day

The voters finally speak their piece at precincts around the state with 539,000 ballots cast. Candidates get in some last-minute canvassing, then retreat to their watch parties.

The Results:
Joe Biden — 48%
Bernie Sanders — 20%
Tom Steyer — 11 %
Pete Buttigieg — 8%
Elizabeth Warren — 7%
Amy Klobuchar — 3%
Tulsi Gabbard — 1%
(Andrew Yang was on the ballot but had previously dropped out of the race.)

Big Winner

Jim Clyburn, U.S. House Majority Whip, endorses Biden three days before the election, catapulting the former vice president past his opponents. Immediately upon the polls closing, Joe Biden is declared the landslide winner. Hundreds of journalists descend on his watch party turned victory rally on the University of South Carolina campus in Columbia. On Super Tuesday three days later, Biden wins 10 of the 14 states. He never looks back.

News reporters awaiting the arrival of Joe Biden to his watch party in Columbia, South Carolina on February 29, 2020. Biden won the South Carolina democratic primaries that occurred earlier that day.

Behind the Scenes

This semester, students worked with photo coaches Jeff Amberg, Steffanie Burns, Kim Kim Foster Tobin, Thomas Hammond, Renée Ittner-McManus, and Gavin McIntyre.