Tipsheet

VICTORY: SC Gov Changes Course and Will Call a Special Session to Enact New Congressional Maps

Matt Vespa
Matt Vespa  |  May 13, 2026 2:00 PM

This post has been updated.

Yesterday was a tough day for the GOP’s effort to redistrict its strongholds. The South Carolina State Senate rejected a measure to redraw its map. Although the majority of the chamber voted to move forward, without a special session called by Gov. Henry McMaster, the upper chamber had to vote to call themselves back, which required a 2/3 majority. 

The SC House did its part, passing that map via subcommittee on a 3-2 vote. 

Four defections could’ve torpedoed this effort, including SC State Senate Leader Shane Massey, who gave a mild speech explaining why he thinks a redrawn map isn’t needed, citing the importance of a strong Democratic Party in the state capitol. Procedural panicans need to stop, and we’ve shown that in Indiana. It’s sad because Massey comes from a ruby red district. It didn’t have to end this way.

Well, it might not be dead yet. Gov. McMaster reportedly plans to call a special session to resolve this matter. The date is to be determined, but former SC State Rep. Adam Morgan, who’s been tracking this rollercoaster, said State House and Senate leadership met with the governor to “iron out the details.” 

We’re not dead yet. 

UPDATE: Special session confirmed via Politico:

South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to announce a special session on redistricting, teeing up the state legislature to pass a Republican gerrymander that would almost certainly cost Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn his seat in this year’s midterms.

Clyburn is the sole Democrat in South Carolina’s House delegation; the new map would dismantle his district, leaving the state with 7 likely red seats and no Democratic-leaning ones.

McMaster’s plan — confirmed by four people familiar with the decision, who were granted anonymity to share private details — is a reversal of his position earlier this month and follows pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies to gerrymander the state.

The looming special session comes after five Republican state senators voted with Democrats to block a measure that would have allowed them to redraw South Carolina’s districts this cycle without a call from McMaster.