Spartanburg Democrats Aim for Change in Traditionally Red Districts as Election Day Approaches

Spartanburg Inches Closer To A ‘Blue’ Future

On a sunny afternoon, with the temperature around a fantastic 65°F, the Spartanburg County Democratic Party, headquartered at 505 E. Main St., declared optimism about their chances come November’s elections. It’s a picture that has considerably changed over time in a region not traditionally known for waving the blue banner of the Democratic party.

Decoding South Carolina’s ‘Red’ History

South Carolina has, for the most part, been a strong bastion of the Republican party. The state hasn’t witnessed a statewide election win by a Democrat for nearly two decades. It goes back to 2006 when Jim Rex marginally clinched the Superintendent of Education’s race by a narrow 500 votes. On a more significant scale, the state hasn’t backed a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter, nearly half a century ago, in the 1970s.

This pattern gets even starker when you narrow the frame down to the Upstate region. A Democrat hasn’t won a Congressional District race that covers large swathes of Spartanburg and Greenville Counties since 1990. There is only one Democrat in Spartanburg County’s legislative delegation.

A Glimmer of Hope

However, this year, local Democratic leaders appear to have a new vigor and fresh hopes of changing these election trends. The beacon of this renewed energy is Kathryn Harvey, the current chair of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party, and a strong congressional candidate. In what is being seen as a brave yet challenging move, the party decided to contest 11 strategic races, five in each county and one race spanning both, under an initiative titled ‘Priority Six.’

On the Ascent

Even though it’s challenging to win carrying a ‘D’ next to your name in the strongly red Upstate, the Democrats aren’t bothered about the outcome. Rather, their goal is to at least make their presence felt, and show that their fight can sway election outcomes in South Carolina and beyond. “We want people to be excited about showing up to the polls and feeling like they’re making a difference,” said a party leader.

Much of the reinvigorated Democratic push targets the approximately 60,000 voters who have been dormant for a while but lean towards the Democrat’s side. By bringing back this ‘Blue’ tribe, the party hopes to provide an alternative to moderate voters who are increasingly disillusioned with hardline Republicans.

Have the Numbers On Their Side?

There’s a glimmer of hope amid the ambitious plans drawn up by the Spartanburg County Democrats. The region, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, is experiencing an influx of residents. It’s an unfolding scenario that possibly favors the Democrats who are keen on turning the tide. Despite challenges from redistricting and traditional electoral inertia, Democrats believe they are not too far from making their mark.

Fundraising Galore

Fundraising numbers are looking healthy too for the priority six campaigns, including Kathryn Harvey’s Congressional campaign. Other state Senate candidates have managed to amass a decent war chest, adding to the momentum. But in the end, their battle’s success will depend on voters come November.

The Republican Response

Meanwhile, the Republicans remain unsurprisingly confident. Curtis Smith, the Spartanburg County Republican Party Chairman, asserts the region’s conservative values will continue to prevail. He believes the surge in new residents will ultimately favor the conservatives as people move in to enjoy the low taxes, secure environment, and a less-interfering government that the state boasts.

Nevertheless, as November’s election day approaches, the Democratic party’s newfound energy and persistent efforts are indeed making the political landscape in Spartanburg County a little bit more interesting and unpredictable.