Rep. Jim Clyburn, 85-year-old South Carolina Democrat, working for reelection

Washington — Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina introduced Thursday he’ll search an 18th time period in Congress, making him the final of his era of Home Democratic leaders nonetheless on the poll.

Clyburn made the announcement at an occasion with supporters on the South Carolina Democratic Celebration headquarters in Columbia, saying he could be signing the paperwork wanted to run and would mount a “very vigorous marketing campaign.”

“Right this moment I’ll reply a query that is at all times requested: What’s there unfinished or what extra do it’s worthwhile to do? Nicely, it is within the preamble of our Structure: We exist in pursuit of a extra excellent union,” he stated. “And I am right here at the moment to say I do consider that I’m very well-equipped — and wholesome sufficient — to maneuver into the subsequent time period, attempting to do the issues which can be essential to proceed that pursuit of perfection.” 

Clyburn, 85, famous his age, and stated, “If I had been lower than it, I might not do it. However in response to some in depth surveys, some intense consultations with my three daughters, they lastly obtained to a unanimous opinion that I ought to be right here at the moment and make this announcement.” 

His reelection bid comes amid a yearslong push within the Democratic Celebration for generational change. Clyburn served because the No. 3 Democrat within the Home from 2007 to 2023, and was the top-ranking African-American lawmaker in Congress throughout that point.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and former Majority Chief Steny Hoyer of Maryland stepped down from their management roles forward of Clyburn, who relinquished his place as Home Democratic whip in 2023 and served as assistant chief for just a little greater than a yr after that. 

Pelosi and Hoyer have each introduced their retirements from Congress in current months, making Clyburn the final of Home Democrats’ earlier era of leaders to hunt reelection.

In an interview with the Washington Put up earlier this month, Clyburn signaled he wasn’t able to name it quits simply but. 

“I’ve finished polling, I’ve interviewed my constituents, and my household is cut up on the choice — they haven’t coalesced round it but. I am leaning in direction of doing it,” he stated.

Clyburn has served in Congress since 1993 and has been a kingmaker in Democratic politics in South Carolina for years. His endorsement of Joe Biden earlier than the state’s Democratic main in 2020 revived Biden’s marketing campaign and propelled him to the nomination.

South Carolina’s main will happen on June 9. Clyburn represents the state’s sixth Congressional District, which is solidly Democratic.