Election Results and Trends in Columbia, SC
In the last Presidential election, Columbia, SC voted predominantly Democrat, with 53.7% of voters casting their ballot for Biden, while 44.7% of voters in Columbia voted for Trump, and other parties voting 1.6%. Based on these voting patterns, Columbia is considered a slightly leaning liberal city. Specifically, it ranks 127th out of the most populated 333 cities in the United States in terms of conservatism based on the 2020 Presidential election results. Conversely, when looking at the liberal voting patterns in the 2020 election, Columbia ranks 192nd out of the 333 most populated cities, indicating a relatively low liberal vote.
Presidential Elections Voting Trend
Columbia, South Carolina's capital city, has tended to lean liberal in Presidential elections over the last 25 years, although the state itself often swings conservative. Democrat candidates have found favor in the city: Bill Clinton (1996), Al Gore (2000), John Kerry (2004), Barack Obama (2008 and 2012), Hillary Clinton (2016), and Joe Biden (2020.) The progressive trend in Columbia contrasts with the broader conservative preference of South Carolina, reflecting the city's diverse demographics and urban setting.
Local Elections
In city-level elections in Columbia, there has been a notable dominance of Democrat officials, especially in mayoral positions, reflecting the city's liberal-leaning. The election of Mayor Steve Benjamin in 2010 marked Columbia's first African-American mayor, followed by his re-elections. His policies and leadership style have maintained a Democrat trend within the City Council and other local offices. Columbia's local governance highlights a preference for progressive policies and inclusive politics, although pockets of conservative influence remain.