Biden Praises South Carolina for Reviving His 2020 Campaign

Former president credits state's primary win with setting him on path to the White House

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Former President Joe Biden spoke at an event in Columbia, South Carolina, where the state's Democratic Party honored his more than 50 years of service and his 2020 state primary victory. Biden said South Carolina holds a special place in his heart, calling the state the turning point of his 2020 campaign after he had lost Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. He credited his South Carolina win with setting him on a path to the White House, saying "if I could just get to South Carolina, I could win the nomination, and I knew if I won the nomination, I'd win the presidency."

Why it matters

Biden's victory in the 2020 South Carolina primary was seen as a pivotal moment that revived his campaign and put him on a trajectory to win the Democratic nomination and the presidency. The state's Democratic primary voters, particularly Black voters, played a crucial role in propelling Biden to the nomination after his early losses in other states.

The details

Biden spoke at an event in Columbia, South Carolina, where the state's Democratic Party honored his more than 50 years of service and his 2020 state primary victory. In his remarks, Biden credited South Carolina with saving his campaign, saying the state's primary win set him on a path to the White House.

  • Biden spoke at the event on Friday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Joe Biden

Former President of the United States who served from 2021 to 2025.

Christale Spain

Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

Jim Clyburn

U.S. Congressman from South Carolina whose endorsement of Biden ahead of the 2020 primary was widely credited as a pivotal moment in the race.

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What they’re saying

“People in this room brought my campaign back from the brink — a lot of pundits, people in the press, had given up on me.”

— Joe Biden, Former President (wrdw.com)

“Biden didn't just win, he delivered.”

— Christale Spain, Chair, South Carolina Democratic Party (wrdw.com)

“There is no American ever who has demonstrated through his service more substance — and I might add sustenance — than Joe Robinette Biden.”

— Jim Clyburn, U.S. Congressman (wrdw.com)

The takeaway

Biden's victory in the 2020 South Carolina primary was a pivotal moment that revived his campaign and put him on a path to the Democratic nomination and the presidency. The state's Democratic voters, particularly Black voters, played a crucial role in propelling Biden forward after his early losses in other states.