Rep. Jim Clyburn says Democrats need to fix their voter-targeting methods while looking to mobilize Black voters ahead of the midterms, as the party deals with the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision that paved the way for the elimination of majority-Black congressional districts.
“We’ve always had a good message, that’s not the problem,” Clyburn said on the latest episode of The Washington Sun Cast. “The problem is the messaging. … Our problem has been with our methods, the methods that we use to convey the message.”
Clyburn is taking part in the Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s “So Vote” initiative, which is looking to mobilize turnout among Black voters in the midterms by using community action rather than advertising.
“Why are we dependent upon television to do it when we ought to put boots on the ground,” Clyburn said. “What is it when you pay somebody 20% to place a TV ad from their air-conditioned office? Ain’t nobody saying anything about that. And we lose in those elections when you do that.”
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“We keep saying to people, ‘Make a plan.’ You’re gonna make a plan on TV? How do you make a plan to vote? And so that’s what we were trying to do,” Clyburn said.
The April Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which protected and sometimes mandated majority-minority House districts. Following the decision, several states in the South moved to eliminate districts long held by Black lawmakers.
Clyburn said redistricting was made possible by the loss of state legislative seats by Democrats in years with low Black turnout, and that he is hoping voters reverse those trends.
“This redistricting is going on because we lost legislative seats,” Clyburn said. “What I’ve been trying to do is respond to history here.”
Clyburn gave a stern “no” when asked if he has confidence Democrats will win the House majority in November, but he said he is encouraged by the work being done on the campaign trail.
“I’m confident that we’re going to put forth our best effort, and we will win this majority if everybody really goes to work in an effective way,” Clyburn said.
If Democrats win the House majority, their leadership team is likely to be composed of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Rep. Pete Aguilar of California; none of them represent districts in the South.
Clyburn said that makeup will be “different” but not “fatal” when managing the House Democratic Caucus.
“Hakeem Jeffries comes from New York, but his parents, if my memory serves, come from Virginia,” Clyburn said. “I suspect that he has sufficient background. He holds membership in an African American Baptist church there in Brooklyn. I’ve been to church with him in Brooklyn, New York, so I know and feel strongly that he has what it takes to be a good leader, and he is.”
After serving as the third-ranking Democrat in the House for more than 15 years, Clyburn said he hopes Jeffries will take his thoughts into consideration if he serves as House speaker next session.
“I would hope he would take my background and experiences into account if I express any opinions to him,” Clyburn said. “I may not have any need to express an opinion, but if I see the need to express an opinion, I will. And I would hope he would take it for what it’s worth.”
The Washington Sun Cast is a weekly podcast where Washington Sun reporters talk to lawmakers about their work in Washington and what motivates them. You can download or listen here.
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