In ruby red South Carolina, 'like-minded' Democrats to meet, mobilize at annual convention
Two key Democratic governors are coming to the Palmetto State to speak at the South Carolina Democratic Party's annual two-day event in Columbia.
The 2025 event features Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who will speak May 30 at the Palmetto Blue Dinner and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gives the keynote address May 31.
Christale Spain, the Democratic Party state chairperson, said Moore and Walz were chosen because of their growing national presence.
She said Moore stands out because of the work he's doing in Maryland and his emergence as a young leader among Democrats. Walz was the Democratic Party's 2024 vice presidential nominee on the ticket with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, the nominee for president.
More: South Carolina Democratic Party invites Tim Walz to speak at state convention
The state party will select its officers for the upcoming year during the convention held at the state fairgrounds. Spain is running unopposed for chair.
Each county will also send delegates to the convention to represent their area's interests. A total of 1,758 delegates will attend the convention.
Greenville County Democratic Party Chair Stacey Mars is attending the convention as one of the 180 delegates from Greenville County. Mars said that anyone who is a member of the state's Democratic Party is eligible to serve as a delegate.
She said she is excited to see Spain's reelection because the state chair has been an active presence in county party races since taking on the leadership position.
Mars said the convention is important because it helps anyone new to the party become familiar with its platform and candidates.
"We are in the minority, so it always helps being around like-minded individuals," Mars said.
South Carolina's Electoral College has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 1980. Almost 60% of South Carolinians who voted in the 2024 election cast ballots for Donald Trump, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
According to party officials, the weekend convention creates an important opportunity to strategize and expand the party's base in the state.
Delegates will vote on the party's resolution and convention rules for the year. This resolution report, written by the Platform and Resolutions Committee, outlines the party's stance on key issues.
The committee report advocates for the passage or expansion of national legislation, such as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act or the Affordable Care Act. It also addresses topics that the party wants to see addressed on the state level, including improved access to early childhood education and an expansion of Medicaid coverage.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina Democratic Party invites Wes Moore, Tim Walz to speak
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