Congressman Jim Clyburn will step down as assistant House Democratic leader.
The 83-year-old is not departing politics and will run for reelection in South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District. Clyburn is the last of an old guard of Democrats to leave the party’s helm in the House – preceded by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
“Events of the last several years have made it clear that the greatness of America is at peril, and the threats to our continued pursuit of ‘a more perfect Union’ are real,” said the congressman in a statement on Feb. 14.
He said that the result of the elections held in New York and Pennsylvania bolstered his belief in French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville’s view that “America’s greatness is not that she is more enlightened than any other nation, but that she has always been able to repair her faults.”
“I am convinced that a significant majority of Americans are committed to de Tocqueville’s notion, and I feel compelled to expand my efforts to maintain America’s greatness and make that greatness accessible and affordable for all Americans,” said Clyburn. “That has always been my life’s mission and I am proud of my efforts in that regard.”
Clyburn has held a number of leadership positions during his time in Congress including chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, vice chair and chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and two terms as majority whip and assistant Democratic Leader. He was first elected in 1992.
The congressman stressed his dedication to ensuring Democratic dominance in the federal government. He vowed to work “to regain a Democratic Majority, retain our Senate Majority, and rally Americans to reelect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Clyburn’s influence has been credited with helping Biden secure his victory in 2020.
“His endorsement of Biden was a big factor in him sweeping the South Carolina primary, which laid the groundwork for a fractured field of rival candidates — many of whom led Biden in previous contests — to drop out of the race and consolidate behind him” reports RawStory. “Under the Biden presidency, the Democratic Party sought to move South Carolina further up in the primary calendar, which proponents praised as being more representative of Democratic base electorate than the previous calendar, and critics alleged was a returned favor to Clyburn for the endorsement and an effort to make a challenge to Biden's re-nomination less likely.”
Congressman Joe Neguse of Colorado is expected to run for assistant House Leader, the fourth-highest ranking leadership position.
“Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn has long been a source of inspiration, courage & wisdom, and the impact of his work will be felt for generations to come,” the 39-year-old wrote on X. “Our country has been fortunate to benefit from his strong leadership, and I couldn’t be more grateful for his mentorship.”
