The top black Democratic lawmaker in South Carolina will endorse Hillary Clinton, a potential key move in the former first lady’s efforts to use the black vote to stem the challenge by Bernie Sanders.
According to a report Thursday night on CNN, Rep. Jim Clyburn, a former House Democratic whip and ex-chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, will make the formal announcement Friday.
The State newspaper in Columbia reported similarly, citing a Clinton campaign aide.
After having finished in an effective tie with Mr. Sanders in Iowa, losing decisively to him in New Hampshire and this weekend’s Nevada caucuses too close to call, Mrs. Clinton badly needs a win in South Carolina Feb. 27 Democratic primary. Black voters make up the majority of the state’s Democratic electorate, and Mr. Clyburn is the state’s only Democratic member of the U.S. House.
The CBC’s political action committee already had endorsed Mrs. Clinton, though the group does not speak for individual members.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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