We are thrilled to announce that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming South Carolina Democratic Party State Convention! Governor Walz brings a wealth of experience and a powerful message of progress that will inspire and energize us as we continue our fight for a better future.
If you’re not a delegate to the state convention, don’t worry—you can still catch Governor Walz’s speech live on YouTube! Be sure to tune in and join us for this exciting moment.
In addition, we’re excited to share that both Governor Walz and our Blue Palmetto Dinner speaker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, will be attending Congressman Clyburn’s “World Famous” Fish Fry. It’s sure to be an amazing opportunity to hear from these incredible leaders and connect with fellow Democrats.
We look forward to seeing you at the State Convention or online for the livestream!
State Convention Registration
We do our best to guess how many people will show up to the convention each year. This year we are asking you to register so we will know if you are coming or not! This helps us to plan and to spend money more efficiently. We are also requesting this year that you make a $10 contribution/registration fee to help offset our costs. No delegate is required to pay to participate in the convention.
Credential Pick-up
Goodman Building, SC State Fairgrounds 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia
Credential pickup for delegates will begin at 8 a.m. as you enter the Goodman Building on the SC State Fairgrounds. Counties will begin replacing absent delegates by credentialing their alternates at 9:45 a.m. If you are an alternate, check in at your county’s registration table when you arrive so they’ll know you’d like to become a delegate if there’s a vacancy.
SCDP Convention General Session
Goodman Building, SC State Fairgrounds 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia
The Convention will convene at 10 a.m. Delegates will sit with other delegates from their county. Alternates will have designated seating behind the Convention delegates.
During the General Session, we will elect State Party Officers and hear from special guest speakers. Delegates will debate and adopt Resolutions and will take up proposed changes to the SCDP Rules. You will receive proposed resolutions and rule changes in time to read them before the convention.
Convention Parking is available by entering SC Fairgrounds Gate 6 off of Assembly. State Fair charges $5 per car for all day parking.
State Party Officer Elections
The following people filed to run for State Party office by the 5 pm deadline on May 1.
SCDP Chair
Christale Spain- Richland County
1st Vice Chair
Rep. Roger Kirby- Florence County
2nd Vice Chair
Mayra Rivera-Vazquez- Beaufort County
3rd Vice Chair
Michael Layer- Richland County
Ralph Prioleau- Berkeley County
Food
The SC State Fairgrounds will host a Food Truck Festival beginning at noon. Food trucks will be conveniently located outside of the Goodman building and we encourage delegates to get lunch from one of the Food Trucks. You are allowed to bring the food inside the Goodman Building.
Yellow Dog Lounge
Anyone who is a member of the Yellow Dog Democrats, the SCDP’s sustaining donor program, may go to the Yellow Dog Lounge where food and beverages are provided all day. Yellow Dog Democrats invest in the SCDP with a monthly recurring contribution or a one-time contribution of $120. You can join the Yellow Dog Club prior to the State Convention or at the Convention in the Yellow Dog Lounge.
SCDP Council/Caucus Leadership Elections
The SCDP has 8 recognized caucuses and they are open to any interested SC Democrat. To be counted in membership of a particular council/caucus and to be able to vote in that council/caucus, you must complete this membership form. The eight are:The Council of Black Democrats, Black Women Caucus, Disability Caucus, Education Caucus, Environmental Caucus, Hispanic Council, Rural Caucus, and Veterans Council
Officer elections for these councils/caucuses will take place at the state convention. Four of the council/caucuses will meet in the Goodman Building at 9 a.m. and four will meet immediately following adjournment of the state convention. We will announce the time for each caucus meeting in a follow-up email.
Convention Committee Reports
Two committees will report to the Convention:the Rules and Credentials Committee and the Platform and Resolutions Committee. Both committee reports will be emailed to you at least 7 days before the Convention. Read them carefully so that you can cast informed votes.
Hotels and Lodging
We have worked with the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau to gain special group rates at the following hotels. You can make reservations by clicking the links below.
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Columbia $99 per night
901 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29229
Courtyard Columbia Downtown at USC $139 per night
630 Assembly Street, Columbia 29201 (closest hotel to the Fairgrounds)
Cambria Hotel Downtown – TheVista $139 per night
1000 Lady Street, Columbia 29201
Please check scdp.org as well as your email inbox for convention updates. We look forward to seeing you soon.
The state convention will be May 30-31. The Dinner will be May 30 and the Convention will be May 31, 2025 at the SC State Fairgrounds in Columbia.
Elections will be May 31.
Where can I find directions
It will be held on Saturday, May 31st at the SC State Fairgrounds in Columbia. Stay tuned for the link to sign up!
what time will Tim Walz speak on Saturday?
Sorry we didn’t get the schedule in time to reply. Hope you enjoyed the convention!