The rising Democratic presidential candidate faces early challenges with some black voters in the key primary state.
Parishioners gather for breakfast after the Easter Sunday service at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, S.C. By Robert Costa Robert Costa National political reporter covering the White House, Congress and campaigns Email Bio Follow April 24 at 2:06 PM NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.
“Maybe we need the establishment to beat President Trump,” said Otis Byrd, 68. “I’m waiting for Biden, who has the history with President Obama,” said Otis Byrd, a 68-year-old Democrat and retired lawyer. Biden is expected to launch his bid for the White House on Thursday. Buttigieg’s hurdle is hardly unusual. A line of past Democratic presidential contenders has surged out of contests in Iowa or New Hampshire only to hit a political wall in South Carolina as the contest shifted from predominantly white states. Sen. Bernie Sanders was trounced by Hillary Clinton in 2016, losing the state’s primary vote by nearly 50 percentage points.
Parishioners at Mount Moriah sing before the service on Easter Sunday. While Buttigieg’s bid to become the first gay presidential nominee is part of his appeal, his profile as a young, white and married man could also be a burden among some older religious voters in South Carolina, where same-sex marriage continues to stir debate.
Several members suggested that older black Democrats would be interested in hearing more from Buttigieg, an Episcopalian who quotes Scripture, but would probably lean toward Biden, Harris or Sen. Cory Booker , all of whom have made an effort to build ties here. “It’s too soon to have a decision on anyone. What I want to hear is where they stand on what could be a black agenda,” John Mitchell, a 31-year-old Democrat and government worker, said as he sat with his wife, Jerez.
The new attention on Buttigieg in South Carolina comes as his record in South Bend with the black community is under growing scrutiny. His administration’s efforts to knock down blighted houses in the city have been criticized by some Democrats as an overly aggressive push to revamp lower-income areas that are home to minority residents.
At CNN’s Monday town hall, Buttigieg was asked about those tapes but said he did not know about their content because they are part of ongoing litigation. He called the episode “frustrating and painful.” Surrett said he is leaning toward supporting Harris because of what he saw as her strong performance during Senate hearings.
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