Sources indicate McMaster may summon SC legislators back for a special session on redistricting
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina legislators are nearing the end of their legislative session, with redistricting remaining one of the most important unresolved matters.
According to sources, Gov. Henry McMaster is anticipated to declare a special session as soon as Thursday afternoon in an effort to address the delayed process.
At the heart of the discussion is a suggested congressional map supported by House Republicans and created with contributions from Adam Kincaid, executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust. Backers believe the map could help Republicans secure all seven South Carolina seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Kincaid explained that the proposal considers elements including incumbent locations, geography, county boundaries, and compactness, describing it as a “very solid potential” strategy for achieving a 7-0 Republican advantage.
Still, the effort encountered a challenge when five Republican senators sided with Democrats in rejecting a resolution ending the session to continue redistricting and mapping in a special session, leaving the redistricting effort uncertain.
The dispute has revealed divisions within the Republican Party. House Republicans, including Rep. Luke Rankin of Laurens, maintain the map strongly favors a 7-0 outcome and argue Senate lawmakers have not been fully involved in the redistricting process.
“I believed the map was very clearly presented,” Rankin stated. “It absolutely positions us for a strong 7-0 map. I really don’t see a circumstance where it becomes a 5-2 map, so I disagree with the Senate on that.”
Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, a Republican representing Edgefield, has voiced doubts, cautioning that pursuing an overly ambitious strategy could produce negative results.
“At best you’re going to end up 6-1, and you could even finish 5-2,” Massey said. “If you try to get too clever with this, you may land in a 5-2 situation.”
As lawmakers failed to achieve agreement, focus has turned to McMaster, who possesses the authority to reconvene legislators into session. Sources expect the action will come through an executive order.
The governor declined to answer questions during a Statehouse event earlier in the day. His office stated he is carefully observing developments during the closing days of the legislative session and suggested an announcement is expected Thursday afternoon.
The full House has still not voted on the redistricting maps approved by a committee earlier this week. Nevertheless, lawmakers in both chambers say they are getting ready for a special session, although details regarding how the process would proceed remain uncertain.