Sen. Ralph Anderson
Greenville County

Sen Robert Ford
Charleston County

Sen. Darrell Jackson
Richland County

Sen. Gerald Malloy
Darlington County

Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr. 
Orangeburg County

Sen. Kay Patterson
Richland County

Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney
Jasper County

Sen. Kent Williams
Florence County

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE

Rep. Karl B. Allen
Greenville County

Rep. Floyd Breeland
Charleston County

Rep. Joe E. Brown
Richland County

Rep. Robert L. Brown
Charleston County

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Orangeburg County

Rep. Joseph H. Jefferson, Jr.
Berkeley County

Rep. Jesse E. Hines
Florence County

Rep. Mack T. Hines
Florence County

Rep. Kenneth F. Hodges
Colleton County

Rep. Lonnie Hosey
Allendale County

Rep. Kenneth Kennedy
Williamsburg County

Rep. Harold Mitchell, Jr.
Spartanburg County

Rep. Joseph H. Neal
Richland County

Rep. J. Anne Parks
Greenwood County

Rep. J. Todd Rutherford
Richland County

Rep. Flectcher N. Smith, Jr.
Greenville County

Rep. John L. Scott, Jr.
Richland County

Rep. J. Seth Whipper
Charleston County

The Honorable Alexis Herman, Co-Chair
Mr. James Roosevelt, Jr., Co-Chair
Rules and Bylaws Committee
Office of Party Affairs, Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
 

Dear Secretary Herman and Mr. Roosevelt:

No group in South Carolina is more enthusiastic about the prospect of an early presidential primary than the SC Legislative Black Caucus.  In 2004, nearly every member of the Caucus was involved in some way with the primary, and we look forward to having another such opportunity.

In particular we believe having the attention of the candidates focused on this state was helpful in encouraging minority participation not just in that election, but subsequent elections.  With nearly 50 percent African-American voters in the 2004 primary, it was quite clear to everyone in South Carolina that we were the most significant factor in deciding the outcome.  That sense of empowerment makes minority voters want to participate again.

In 2008, the Republicans will have an early primary in this state, and the deciding factor in that race will be the votes cast by ultraconservative voters.  If Democrats have an early primary, there is no doubt in our mind that Afrlcan-Americans will be the majority of the voters.  That is the kind of influence that has been lacking when Iowa and New Hampshire have been the only states to vote early in the process.

As you know, in this state the parties, not the state, must put on presidential primaries.  Those of us concerned with civil rights issues kept a close eye on the SC Democratic Party's preparations for the 2004 process, and we could not have been more satisfied.  The Party complied with everything the Justice Department asked for, and there were no complaints or problems during the day or afterward.  Voters were treated well and felt confident that their votes were fairly counted-something that hasn't always happened with state-run elections.  That confidence goes a long way toward getting people to turn out again.

The SC Legislative Black Caucus urges you to select South Carolina as the early primary state in 2008.  It will be good for South Carolina and good for the nominating process.

Yours truly,
 

David J. Mack, III
Chairman
 

Leon Howard
Chairman-Elect