Jaime Harrison To Run For SC Democratic Party Chair

Jaime Harrison, a former counsel to Rep. Jim Clyburn and 1st Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party announced on Monday that he will seek the party's Chairmanship.

Harrison would replace Dick Harpootlian, who has led the party since 2011, often in controversial fashion.

In December, Harpootlian left the door open to a possible return, but said he preferred his successor to be Harrison.

Harrison will take over a party facing three key statewide elections in 2014--for governor and both senate seats.

But Harrison would appear poised to help the party enter a new phase. He has been named one of Washington, DC's "Fabulous Fifty Movers and Shakers' by Roll Call and one of The Hill’s “35 Stellar Staffers Under 35.”

Harrison told Patch in December he wants to bring the now-famous 50-state strategy of Howard Dean to South Carolina, meaning he would like for the Democrats to be competitive in all 46 counties.

If elected, Harrison would be the first African-American to lead either party in the Palmetto State. He is employed by the renowned Podesta Group in Washington, DC.

Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.