Nominating a candidate who embraces the socialist label could leave the Democratic Party in ruin, according to House Majority Whip James Clyburn.

Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat who endorsed Joe Biden for president, urged his state not to support the candidacy of a self-described socialist such as Bernie Sanders. He warned that the socialist label could be stamped on any candidate running down-ballot in a way that could demolish any hopes of maintaining the Democratic majority in the House.