As Democrats debate whether it’s time for a new generation of leaders, one party elder is deliberating whether to run again. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-South Carolina), who will turn 86 this year, hasn’t made up his mind, but does know whom he wants to replace him, should he decide to retire: his daughter, Jennifer Clyburn-Reed.
“You are a daughter,” Clyburn said in an interview with The Washington Post. “What would you think of your dad if you decided to do something and your dad didn’t support you?”
It’s unclear whether Clyburn-Reed would run. There are other figures — some with statewide, and even national, name recognition — would who likely jump in if Clyburn leaves his seat.
In addition to Clyburn-Reed, potential candidates include former Democratic national chair Jaime Harrison; former Biden administration official and Columbia mayor, Stephen Benjamin; state House Democratic leader Todd Rutherford; and former state lawmaker and political commentator Bakari Sellers.
A crowded primary full of well-known figures could make for a bruising race, but an endorsement from Clyburn would likely confer an advantage. Although congressional endorsements don’t always provide a boost, the backing of a big name like Clyburn could signal to voters that a first-time candidate can be trusted, and could unlock major donations.
Clyburn’s endorsement has been critical before. He famously gave life to then-candidate Joe Biden’s waning 2020 presidential campaign when he endorsed Biden days before the South Carolina primary. His backing was less effective during the 2024 race, however, as Biden, then the president, faced calls to step aside due to his age.
It was Biden’s decision to stay in that race for much of the 2024 campaign season — and Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss after her abbreviated campaign — that sparked Democrats’ angst about age. Some in the party felt had Biden withdrawn from the race sooner, Harris would have had a better chance of victory.
In the wake of 2024, young and middle-aged Democrats have been increasingly vocal about calling for the party’s septuagenarian and octogenarian officials to retire from public service. And that dynamic is shaping many races in the 2026 primaries.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee), a two-decade incumbent, faces a legitimate challenger in state Rep. Justin Pearson, 31. Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas), 37, has made the need to pass the torch a part of his message against Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), who at 78 has spent more than two decades in Congress. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts), 47, launched his campaign against Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts), 79, by centering the need for generational change.
“Someone who has been in Congress for half a century and will be 86 years old at the end of his next term is, in fact, too old,” Moulton said. “If we haven’t learned the lessons of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Dianne Feinstein and Joe Biden … then where are we going as a party?”
Clyburn has largely avoided those same calls to step down, and remains well respected on the Hill. As the dean of South Carolina’s delegation, he’s earned the admiration of fellow colleagues who represent the state. Even Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), who has hinged a portion of his governor’s campaign on redistricting Clyburn out of his seat, said the lawmaker has respect throughout South Carolina. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) characterized Clyburn as capable.
“He’s spry,”” Mace said. “For an old man, he’s spry. Nobody tells Jim Clyburn what to do.”
Clyburn has dismissed any suggestions that his time in Washington is up. He said he’s in good health and that his blood pressure is fine, but he battles with sugar levels and takes metformin to avoid needing insulin. And as he weighs another run, he noted he still has the support of the people of his district.
“I’ve done polling, I’ve interviewed my constituents, and my family is split on the decision — they have not coalesced around it yet. I’m leaning towards doing it,” he said.
Clyburn was the last of a leadership team that included former speaker Nancy Pelosi and former majority leader Steny H. Hoyer — both of whom are retiring from office after their terms end — to relinquish his leadership role. He stepped down as Democratic whip in 2023 to take on the role of assistant Democratic leader to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York). Clyburn left that role in 2024, but still serves as ranking member on subcommittee chair on the House Appropriations Committee.
He also leads a fellowship program offering policy and campaign training to the next generation of politicos in South Carolina. Last week, participants heard from Biden for during an hour-long seminar Clyburn said helps bridge the party’s older and young generations. He called it “biblical.”
“That’s what it takes to succeed in life,” he said. “Scripture suggests the young are called because of their strength and the older because of their knowledge. What does it matter to be strong enough to do it and not know enough to do it?”
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