Rep. Clyburn Stepping Down from House Leadership Position

Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., announced this week that he will step down from his assistant Democratic leader position in the House but will still seek reelection this year.

Clyburn wrote in a statement on Wednesday that he informed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., of his decision to step down from his leadership post in the House Democratic Caucus.

“I am deeply grateful for the confidence my colleagues have placed in me throughout my career, especially as Co-President of my Freshman Class, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Vice Chair and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and twice as Majority Whip and Assistant Democratic Leader,” Clyburn wrote. “I am confident that Leader Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, and the entire leadership team will continue the important work of putting people over politics.”

Clyburn added: “I will run for reelection for the Sixth Congressional District. Events of the last several years have made it clear that the greatness of America is at peril, and the threats to our continued pursuit of ‘a more perfect Union’ are real.”

Clyburn famously endorsed President Joe Biden just before South Carolina held its Democrat primary in 2020, which proved to be pivotal in Biden’s campaign. 

With this announcement, Clyburn joins several other top House Democrats over the age of 80, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who have announced plans to withdraw from their leadership roles while still running for reelection.