NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Just days before her commanding victory over U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in South Carolina’s Democratic Primary, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rallied voters at a packed Baptist church in North Charleston, South Carolina, roughly two hours north of Savannah.
The bulk of the town hall forum dealt with issues of racial inequality and her desire to see reforms to the U.S. criminal justice system. But she also sought to gain favor with young voters, a demographic that’s been solidly behind Sanders.
Georgia voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Mar. 1, to nominate Democrats and Republicans for President. The Peach State joins 12 other states — mostly in the South — in selecting a nominee on the so-called “Super Tuesday” contest.
In Georgia, Clinton is heavily favored to win the state’s Democratic contest. Donald Trump is widely expected to capture the Republican vote. Both Clinton and Trump had commanding wins in South Carolina. (Read District’s coverage of a Trump rally on Kiawah Island, S.C.)
Trump’s victory was due largely to his support from white conservatives while Clinton is counting on strong support from black and Hispanic voters. Sanders, however, is doing well among white and millennial voters who like his promises of free college tuition.
At the North Charleston rally, the young people in attendance said they favored Clinton for her more pragmatic promises.
“Bernie (Sanders) has put forth some great things, but I don’t think they will benefit the country in the way Hillary’s (proposals) will,” said Laila Aleem, a North Charleston teenager who attended the forum.
The young people said they appreciated Sanders’s campaign and the enthusiasm he’s been able to attract, but they are concerned about the feasibility of his proposals.
“I’m actually deciding between Clinton, Sanders and (Republican) John Kasich,” said Laura Johnson, a 19-year-old College of Charleston student. “A selling point of Bernie Sanders is the momentum and energy behind his campaign. But I’m a little iffy about some of his policies.”
States will continue the primary election process until June 14, when the final election is held. The winning Democrat will need 2,382 delegates to win the election. The Republican will need 1,236 delegates. Each party will hold its nominating conventions in July 2016.
A second-year Writing major from Savannah, Georgia, Jordan is one of two editors in charge of final edits, approving contents, and budgeting of stories for District and The Manor.
