COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was announced on Friday that President Joe Biden will return to South Carolina for a second time in January. Most recently, the president delivered a speech at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on Monday, Jan. 8, denouncing the "poison" of white supremacy and political violence.
The South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP) announced Biden will be the keynote speaker for the party's First in the Nation celebration and dinner in Columbia on Saturday, Jan. 27. The South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary is the following Saturday, on Feb. 3, the first primary for the party in the 2024 nationwide election cycle.
SCDP Chair Christale Spain and Executive Director Jay Parmley released a joint statement saying:
“We are so proud and excited to welcome President Biden to the Palmetto State a week before South Carolina Democrats head to the polls on February 3 and make history in our *first* first-in-the-nation primary. The President recognizes that South Carolina voters matter. Black voters matter. And Southern voters matter. We are grateful to him for honoring his commitment to our state and to our party by coming back to the place that started his road to the White House. For the first time ever, the backbone of the Democratic Party – Black voters – will choose who they want in the White House first. This dinner will be a night of celebration for the historic role the Palmetto State now plays in our party’s nominating process.”
In addition to President Biden, this year’s dinner will feature Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Congressman Jim Clyburn, and other community leaders. Presidential candidates Marianne Williamson and Congressman Dean Phillips have been invited.
As more details become available, this story will be updated.