A local reporter in South Carolina said that Democratic voters believe former Vice President Joe Biden’s decision to visit the Palmetto state “is genius,” despite the fact that every presidential candidate goes there early in every election campaign.
“And simply put, [voters] say Biden starting out his campaign here in the Palmetto State is genius,” WIS10’s Jenna Cisnero said Saturday. “People in line here say they want to see him visit more rural communities and connect with those voters.”
South Carolina will be the fourth state to vote in the Democratic primaries, going to the polls on Feb. 29, 2020 after Iowa on Feb. 3, New Hampshire on Feb. 11, and Nevada on Feb. 22. As the first state with a heavy black population, it will be a crucial test as to who appeals to African American voters, a key Democratic constituency.
[Read more: Biden brags about his time in ‘the hood’]
Biden, 76, declared his candidacy on April 25 and his first campaign event was a fundraiser in Philadelphia. He held his first rally in Pittsburgh the following week, and completed a tour of Iowa last Wednesday before heading down to South Carolina.
Several Democratic candidates in a growing field have already done campaign stops in South Carolina, many of which were held months before Biden jumped into the race.
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker spoke with voters in Winnsboro at a town hall back in February, while South Bend, Ind. Mayor Peter Buttigieg had a campaign stop in Columbia in March.
Mass. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been in the state twice already, with one stop in February and another earlier in April, when former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke also held events. California Sen. Kamala Harris held two town halls on college campuses in April as well.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was also in South Carolina this weekend, holding dueling events against fellow front-runner Biden.
