US election 2024: 6 takeaways from Joe Biden’s win in South Carolina Democratic primary

6 things to know about South Carolina primary after Joe Biden's decisive win

President Joe Biden had an overwhelming victory in the South Carolina Democratic primary on February 3, his first official win in the re-election bid. According to CNN, the incumbent secured 96.2% votes, kicking off the party's election year and establishing his position as the presidential nominee. Let's examine six significant things following Biden's triumph in the Palmetto State.

1. Why did Democratic Party shake up primary calendar by choosing South Carolina?

The Democratic Party broke away from its decades-old tradition and reshuffled the primary calendar, allowing South Carolina the opportunity to select the party's presidential nominee first. The Biden-backed decision aimed to prioritize more demographically diverse voters, a significant focus of the Biden campaign. However, the President had an unofficial victory through a write-in primary in New Hampshire.

2. Importance of South Carolina for Joe Biden

The overwhelming victory in South Carolina will undoubtedly boost Biden's re-election bid. Repeated questions about his age and cognitive ability posed concerns about his ability to grab the Democratic nomination once again. The Palmetto State win has emphasized that the 81-year-old incumbent is the most eligible, highlighting that his opponents, Dean Williams and Marianne Williamson, will not be a threat.

3. Black voters have big day in South Carolina

The large Black population of South Carolina was the major reason the Democratic Party chose South Carolina to kick off the election year. Biden's victory underlines the significance of Black voter support. Michael Tyler, the communications director for the Biden campaign, stated that Black voters constituted approximately 76% of the early vote in South Carolina this year, in contrast to 56% in 2020.

4. What happens to Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson after South Carolina primary?

Biden's victory was easy due to a lack of strong opposition. Two other Democratic primary contenders, Minnesota Rep Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson, secured only 2.1% and 1.7% of the votes, as per CNN. The performances pose serious questions on how long they should remain in the race, and the primary results do not give any future hope. Phillips, who declared his presidential bid in October 2023, wrote on X, "Cracking four digits never felt so good! Congratulations, Mr. President, on a good old-fashioned whooping. See you in Michigan."

5. South Carolina can vote for both primaries

South Carolina has an open primary system where registered voters can participate in either the Republican or Democratic Party's primary. "You can pick either primary but you can only vote in one," says South Carolina Election Commission's rules. Voters in the state are not allowed to register on a party basis to be a part of the electoral process.

6. Republican primary in South Carolina to be held on February 24

The Republican primary in South Carolina is scheduled to be held on February 24. GOP frontrunner Donald Trump will face his only opponent, Nikki Haley. According to primary polls, the former President is leading with a sizable margin ahead of Haley in her home state, where she was the Governor from 2011 to 2017.