Mount Pleasant, SC – Today, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision declaring that South Carolina's 1st Congressional District lines would not need to be redrawn, siding with Republican officials despite significant concerns about the disenfranchisement of African American voters. The Deford campaign expresses profound disappointment with this decision as it undermines the rights of our communities and voters and perpetuates racial discrimination.
The Deford campaign agrees with Justice Elena Kagan, who stated in her dissent that Republicans had “stacked the deck” against opponents. She continued: “In the electoral sphere especially, where ‘ugly patterns of pervasive racial discrimination’ have so long governed.”
Democratic candidate Mac Deford, who witnessed oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court in October 2023, reaffirmed his campaign's commitment to fighting for fair representation and justice for all South Carolinians. “We are deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision, which we believe fails to protect the fundamental rights of African American voters in our state,” said Deford. “However, our campaign has been prepared for this outcome, and we remain confident that we will flip this district. We are not discouraged by this decision as it relates to beating Nancy Mace or any other Republican candidate. While we believe that the Robert’s Court has once again ignored Black voters, we will not be deterred in our resolve to fight for every vote and ensure that all our citizens' voices are heard.”
Deford emphasized the campaign's bipartisan, grassroots approach, focusing on the issues that matter most to South Carolinians. “Our campaign is resonating in the Lowcountry from voters across the political spectrum. We will continue our strong grassroots movement, going community by community to address critical issues such as protecting reproductive rights, improving federal funding for infrastructure, and reversing dangerous gun laws to keep our communities safe,” Deford stated.
The Deford campaign remains steadfast in its mission to ensure every vote counts and to build a future where all South Carolinians have a voice in their government, a future that upholds the principles of fair representation and justice.
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