South Carolina Democrats are headed to the polls today to cast their ballots in the party’s 2024 presidential primary, which President Joe Biden is expected to win handily.
For Democrats angling to boost their profile ahead of the 2028 primary — when Biden won’t be on the ballot — it’s a prime opportunity to mingle with the party faithful.
According to Politico, Vice President Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker — who both briefly ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and cultivated political networks from their previous runs — have an advantage in the early-voting state should they choose to pursue the nomination again in 2028.
“In these early primary states, it’s all about establishing relationships early so that you can, if and when you make the decision to run, you have people on the ground who can help you, advise you, tell you who to hire,” a Democrat advising a prospective 2028 candidate told Politico.
South Carolina state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis told Politico that Democrats are working hard to ensure Biden is reelected this fall. But he also noted how Harris has positioned herself for a future run.
“[Harris] has done a lot to avail herself to what’s happening in South Carolina, spending resources here, and really engaging herself here, so I believe it will help her down the road,” he told the publication.
Black voters make up roughly 60% of the South Carolina Democratic electorate, which could be a boon to Harris and Booker in the key nominating state.
Business Insider reached out to representatives of Harris and Booker for comment.
