SC Republicans look at redistricting
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Rep. JA Moore (D-Charleston) is seen on a live broadcast of a special congressional redistricting session, potentially dismantling the state’s lone Democratic held district, on May 15, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina. Early voting for the midterm statewide primary starts on May 26. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
“He’s from Queens! It’s a map a dude from Queens sent y’all!” said Rep. JA Moore (D-Charleston), “Queens!”
As the representative repetitively warned his colleagues that Donald Trump was a rich man from New York City, pulling strings in South Carolina, many in the room laughed. “It’s not funny!” he responded.
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Rep. Justin Bamberg (D-Bamberg) speaks during a special redistricting session that could potentially dismantle the state’s lone Democratic held district on May 15, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina.. Early voting for the midterm statewide primary starts on May 26. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
In the second floor lobby the audio from the live broadcast overlapped with real time audio from the nearby floor of the House of Representatives, undertaking a special session for congressional redistricting.
Queens, Queens, Queens — not Kings was one of many of his points about a new voting map potentially disrupting SC’s lone Democratic held district, represented by James Clyburn.
The South Carolina House of Representatives will reconvene on Monday for the continued special session with a focus on congressional destricting as priumary viting begins in less than two weeks.
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), right, speaks with South Carolina Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D-Richland) during a special congressional redistricting session, potentially dismantling the state’s lone Democratic held district, on May 15, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina. Early voting for the midterm statewide primary starts on May 26. When the Senator asked the gubernatorial candidate if was going to win the upcoming election, Johnson replied, “Have you been to space?” (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Rep. Heather Bauer (D-Richland), tales a moment in the statehouse lobby during a special congressional redistricting session, potentially dismantling the state’s lone Democratic held district, on May 15, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina. Early voting for the midterm statewide primary starts on May 26. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Rep. Wendell G. Gilliard (D-Charleston), left, speaks with Executive Director of the House Democratic Caucus Nick Sottile during a special congressional redistricting session, potentially dismantling the state’s lone Democratic held district, on May 15, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina. Early voting for the midterm statewide primary starts on May 26. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
