Los Angeles Times

Q&A: Rep. Clyburn talks about his future in party leadership, what Biden has done for Black voters

WASHINGTON — Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat and the highest-ranking African American in the House, spoke recently with the Los Angeles Times about Democrats' plan before the midterm elections, the Jan. 6 hearings, his future in the party's leadership and when he'll know when it's time for him to leave office. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wraps up her ...
U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn speaks beside members of the Congressional Black Caucus at the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Washington, D.C..

WASHINGTON — Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat and the highest-ranking African American in the House, spoke recently with the Los Angeles Times about Democrats' plan before the midterm elections, the Jan. 6 hearings, his future in the party's leadership and when he'll know when it's time for him to leave office.

As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wraps up her final months in leadership, many in the Democratic Party are anxious about who will take the helm in 2023, and whether they will retain the majority. Some progressives have been eager to see older party stalwarts like Clyburn move aside to usher in the next generation.

Clyburn spoke as he is set to receive on July 20 the NAACP's highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, during its annual convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Past recipients include Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey and John Lewis.

"Some African Americans see this as the highest award to be bestowed in the Black community," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in an interview.

Clyburn, who at age 12 was elected president of his NAACP youth council, said the award "means the world to me." "I have received a lot of recognitions in my not-so-short life," he said. "But none, quite frankly, none measure up to this one."

Below are excerpts from the interview, edited for clarity and length.

Q: You're turning 82 this month.

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