On his last full day in office, Joe Biden finds himself back in South Carolina—a state that has played a special role in his journey to the White House. It was here, in 2020, where he had a huge victory in the Democratic primary that helped him secure the presidency.
With his time in office coming to an end, Biden chose South Carolina to give his final farewell. Accompanied by his wife, Jill Biden, he plans to visit the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, where he’ll reflect on the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the eve of the federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader.
Following the church visit, the Bidens will head over to the International African American Museum. This museum sits on a historic waterfront site where tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were brought to the United States. The trip, as Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina explains, is Biden’s way of expressing his gratitude to the state that helped launch his political career.
A Nod to the 2020 Campaign
Looking back at the 2020 campaign, South Carolina was a turning point for Biden. After facing losses in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Nevada, he was able to turn things around with a big win in South Carolina. This victory was boosted by the influential endorsement of Rep. Clyburn, who spoke about Biden’s deep connection with Black voters in the state.
Biden never forgot the role South Carolina played in his rise. After winning the presidency, he pushed to make South Carolina the first state to hold a primary in 2024, instead of New Hampshire. “In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who proved the pundits wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and set us on the path to winning the presidency,” Biden said after securing another victory there in 2024.
Though his 2024 run ultimately didn’t go as planned, Biden’s bond with South Carolina remains strong, and the state continues to hold a cherished place in his heart.
