South Carolina Senate Blocks GOP Redistricting Push, Defying Trump
The South Carolina state Senate voted 24-20 to halt a Republican-led redistricting effort that would have redrawn the state’s congressional map to favor GOP candidates, potentially eliminating the only Democratic-held seat. Twelve Republican senators joined Democrats in the procedural vote, citing the start of early voting for June 9 primaries. The decision blocks former President Trump’s push for mid-decade gerrymandering and follows a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Louisiana’s map, sparking similar battles in Alabama and Tennessee.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Alabama and South Carolina Redistricting Blocks Halt Trump's Gerrymandering Push
Republican redistricting efforts in Alabama and South Carolina were blocked on Tuesday, stalling President Donald Trump's mid-decade gerrymandering campaign. In South Carolina, the GOP-led state Senate thwarted a plan to cancel an ongoing primary and adopt a new map that would eliminate the state's only Democratic and majority-Black congressional district. Twelve Republican senators cited practical, political, and procedural concerns, with state Sen. Richard Cash stating he would not stop an election already underway. In Alabama, a three-judge federal panel, including two Trump appointees, temporarily blocked the state GOP's proposed map, ruling it was 'tainted by intentional race-based discrimination.' The panel ordered the state to use a court-ordered 2024 map with two substantially Black districts. Alabama announced it would immediately appeal to the Supreme Court. Politico noted the rebuke from fellow Republicans shocked Trump's political operation, though Republicans retain an overall edge in redistricting.
TheWeek feedAlabama and South Carolina Redistricting Efforts Blocked, Stalling Trump's Gerrymandering Campaign
Republican-led redistricting efforts in Alabama and South Carolina were blocked on Tuesday, dealing a setback to President Donald Trump's mid-decade gerrymandering campaign. In South Carolina, the GOP-controlled state Senate voted down a plan to cancel an ongoing primary and adopt a new map that would have eliminated the state's only Democratic and majority-Black congressional district. Twelve Republican senators cited numerous concerns, with state Sen. Richard Cash stating his conscience and common sense would not allow him to stop an election already underway. In Alabama, a three-judge federal panel, including two Trump appointees, temporarily blocked the state GOP's proposed map, ruling it was 'tainted by intentional race-based discrimination.' The panel ordered the state to use a court-ordered 2024 map that includes two substantially Black districts. Alabama officials announced they would immediately appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite these setbacks, analysts note that Republicans still hold an overall advantage in the national redistricting landscape.
TheWeek feedTrump's Electoral Redistricting Efforts Slowed in South Carolina and Alabama
On May 26, 2026, Donald Trump's push for electoral redistricting favoring Republicans faced setbacks in two US states. In South Carolina, a group of Republican senators joined Democrats to defeat a last-minute redistricting bill targeting the district of influential Democratic Representative James Clyburn. The Senate rejected the bill after early voting for primaries had begun, citing disruption of an ongoing election. In Alabama, a federal court blocked a new Republican-drawn electoral map, ruling it intentionally discriminated against black voters by diluting their votes. State officials plan to appeal. Meanwhile, in Florida, a court rejected a request to suspend a new map by Governor Ron DeSantis that could give Republicans four additional seats, though it remains under legal challenge. The article notes that Trump's redistricting campaign has encountered reluctance from some local Republican officials, leading to his anger and primary challenges against them, as seen in Indiana.
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.12 South Carolina Republicans Defy Trump, Block Redistricting Effort
In a significant rebuke to President Donald Trump, the South Carolina state Senate voted 24-20 on Tuesday to leave their House districts unchanged for the upcoming midterm elections. Twelve Republican senators joined all Democrats in the vote, effectively saving the state's only Democratic-held congressional seat, held by Representative James Clyburn. The decision came after Governor Henry McMaster called a special session on May 14 under pressure from the Trump administration to redraw maps. State Senator Richard Cash cited the timing of early voting as a reason for changing his vote. The move blocks GOP hopes of gerrymandering before the primaries, which begin June 9. This follows Trump's unprecedented July 2025 call for mid-decade redistricting, which sparked a national gerrymandering war after Texas complied. The Supreme Court's April ruling striking down parts of the Voting Rights Act had further enabled states to redraw majority-minority districts. Other states including Missouri, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, and North Carolina have approved new Republican-leaning maps, while California and Utah have done the same for Democrats.
The New Republic12 Republicans Defy Trump, Block South Carolina Redistricting Effort
In a significant rebuke to President Donald Trump, the South Carolina state Senate voted 24-20 on Tuesday to leave the state's House districts unchanged for the upcoming midterm elections. Twelve Republican senators broke ranks and joined all Democrats in the vote, effectively preserving the state's only Democratic-held congressional seat, held by Representative James Clyburn. The decision came after Governor Henry McMaster called a special session on May 14 under pressure from the Trump administration to redraw maps. State Senator Richard Cash cited the timing of early voting as a reason for his changed vote, stating he could not stop an election already underway. The vote eliminates Republican hopes of gerrymandering before the primaries, which begin June 9. This mid-decade redistricting push followed Trump's July 2025 call for Texas to redraw maps, sparking a national gerrymandering war. The Supreme Court's April ruling striking down parts of the Voting Rights Act had further enabled such efforts. Republicans who voted against the redistricting may now face Trump-endorsed primary challengers.
The New Republic12 Republicans Break Ranks to Stop Trump Stealing More House Seats
The South Carolina state Senate voted 24-20 to leave their House districts unchanged for the upcoming midterm elections, rejecting involvement in President Donald Trump's redistricting efforts. Twelve Republican state senators broke ranks and joined all Democratic senators in the surprise decision. Some legislators, including Republican state Senator Richard Cash, changed their votes due to timing concerns, as early voting in South Carolina primaries had already begun on Tuesday. Cash stated, 'Neither my conscience nor my common sense will allow me to stop an election that is already underway.' The decision blocks potential gerrymandering that could have benefited Trump-aligned candidates.
The New RepublicSouth Carolina Senate blocks redistricting plan in blow to Trump
The South Carolina Senate voted against advancing a new congressional redistricting map on Tuesday, halting the state's GOP-led redistricting effort. The vote represents a setback for former President Donald Trump, who had supported the plan. State senators cited the fact that South Carolina citizens were going to the polls for primary elections that day as a key reason for opposing the bill. The move comes amid national political maneuvering ahead of the midterm elections, with redistricting battles ongoing in multiple states. The decision delays the adoption of new congressional boundaries in South Carolina, potentially affecting the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Just In NewsSouth Carolina lawmakers turn aside redistricting push
South Carolina state lawmakers rejected a Republican-led push to redraw the state's congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, effectively protecting the seat of Rep. James E. Clyburn, the state's only Democratic House member. The procedural vote in the state Senate failed after several Republicans, including state Sen. Richard Cash, changed their positions, citing the start of early voting for the June 9 primaries that same day. The state House had previously approved a map that would have made all seven House seats Republican-leaning. The decision comes amid a wave of Southern redistricting efforts following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Louisiana's map. Similar legal battles are ongoing in Alabama and Tennessee, where courts have blocked or challenged maps targeting Democratic-held seats.
Roll CallSouth Carolina lawmakers turn aside redistricting push
On May 26, 2026, the South Carolina state Senate effectively halted a Republican-led redistricting push that aimed to redraw the state's congressional map to target Rep. James E. Clyburn, the only Democrat in the state's House delegation. The procedural vote succeeded as several Republicans joined Democrats, citing the start of early voting for the June 9 primaries as a key reason. State Sen. Richard Cash stated he could not support stopping an election already underway. The state House had previously approved a map that would favor Republicans in all seven House seats. The article notes similar redistricting efforts in Alabama and Tennessee, where courts have intervened, and places the developments in the context of a broader Republican push across the South following a Supreme Court decision invalidating Louisiana's map.
Roll CallSouth Carolina lawmakers turn aside redistricting push
South Carolina state lawmakers on Tuesday blocked a Republican-led push to redraw the state's congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The state Senate procedural vote, joined by several Republicans, effectively halted the redistricting measure. State Sen. Richard Cash cited the start of early voting for June 9 primaries as the reason for his changed position. The state House had previously approved a map targeting Rep. James E. Clyburn, the only Democrat in South Carolina's delegation, aiming to create Republican-favored districts in all seven House seats. Some Republican legislators resisted the push, fearing it could create pickup opportunities for Democrats. The development follows a Supreme Court decision invalidating Louisiana's map over racial considerations, sparking a wave of redistricting efforts across the South. Similar legal challenges are ongoing in Alabama and Tennessee, where courts have blocked or questioned new maps targeting Democratic-held seats.
Roll Call