Candidates officially entering the race for SC Sixth Congressional District seat

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Two candidates have officially filed for candidacy in South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District race.  

Longtime Democratic U.S. Congressman James Clyburn kicked off his campaign for reelection on Monday in Columbia.

“I’m going to do my best to make this a good term. I’m going to do what I can between now and November to ensure the reelection of Joe Biden. And I think that maybe next year at this time I’ll start thinking about what I’ll do after that but right now we’re going to take it one term at a time,” Congressman Clyburn answered when asked if he would consider running again after this upcoming election.

The congressman has held the seat since 1993. During his time in office, he’s worked to protect women’s healthcare rights, improve educational opportunities for students, secure funding for infrastructure projects, and improve rural broadband internet access across the state.

“Just watch what I do. If you ever see me doing anything to deny opportunities, then you have something to be concerned about. I’m out here every day making sure that broadband gets into every home, making sure water systems gets into every community, making sure that every child that wants to go to post-secondary education has an avenue to get there. Show me what those people are doing that you’re listening to on the internet,” Clyburn said.

Republican Duke Buckner officially joined the race for the Sixth Congressional seat on Saturday. The Walterboro native is an attorney and former educator and newspaper owner.

“For the last 32 years, the Sixth Congressional District has suffered financially. We’re the poorest congressional district in South Carolina. We’re like the seventh poorest congressional district in the entire country. We are known for the ‘corridor of shame.’ And I’m saying that it’s time for the Sixth District to grow, to prosper, and to do well,” Buckner told News 2.

When it comes to his policies, he said reducing national spending and tackling the border crisis. Buckner said its time for a change in leadership.

“He (Clyburn) will be 84 years old in July and it is time to pass that baton and allow another person who understands the Sixth District, who’s from the Sixth District. I grew up here. I went to school here outside of law school and I know this district and I care about the people and want to see us rise up,” Buckner said.

It will not be the first time the two candidates are in the same race. Buckner ran for the seat in 2022 as the Republican nominee.