By Javar Juarez / OP-ED
Columbia, SC - Today, the Richland County Democratic Party held its 2025 Convention at the Senate’s End in Columbia’s bustling Vista District. Delegates gathered to elect executive officers, state delegates, and executive committee members. While the environment seemed pleasant on the surface, with good energy and orderly proceedings, a deeper look revealed unsettling trends: a notable rise in white delegates and a sharp decline in Black representation across the board.
Black voices were largely absent, and grassroots representation nearly nonexistent. In their place stood establishment figures who continue to dominate the county and state parties. As expected, the same old political operatives took the reins, working to gerrymander votes and cement their power.
A heated moment came during the resolutions process, overseen by former Legislative Black Caucus Chair, the Rev. Dr. Ivory Thigpen. Three controversial resolutions were presented:
A failed resolution to end the Democratic presidential primary process in South Carolina in order to redirect resources toward protesting a potential third Trump run.
A successful resolution demanding fair maps and equitable elections, which will now move to the state convention for further review.
The most explosive resolution—presented by Dr. Johnnie Cordero—called for abolishing the COOB (Committee on Caucus Organization, Operations, and Bylaws). This motion exposed deep fractures in the party and may go down as one of the most defining moments in Richland County Democratic Party history.
Dr. Johnnie Cordero awaits for his resolution to be heard at the RCDP Convention JavarJuarez©2025
For those unfamiliar, the COOB was created under former State Chair Trav Robertson Jr. —allegedly at the urging of then-members of the Legislative Black Caucus—to rein in the growing influence of the Democratic Black Caucus now referred to as the Council of Black Democrats. But as far as many are concerned, this body operates more like a COUP—one designed to silence the party’s caucuses, particularly those led by Black Democrats.
The real motive? To contain rising Black leadership. Robertson admitted at today’s convention that the COOB was created specifically to restrict the influence of party caucuses. His confession was both stunning and validating to those who have long suspected this calculated power play.
Caucuses are meant to be voices for underrepresented communities. They help shape policy, build coalitions, organize members, and hold leadership accountable. Yet when the Council of Black Democrats attempted to do just that, the establishment retaliated.
After the 2024 general election, Council of Black Democrats Chair Margaret M. Sumpter issued a letter expressing her disappointment in the Democratic Party's performance and calling for greater accountability. Her statement included:
“Everywhere I went, people kept saying, ‘We got this,’ but I knew we needed to pray and act. The loss of key Senate and House seats is particularly troubling... We must change how we do things, and we must do so now.”
Her honest critique didn’t sit well with party insiders.
Soon after, Cedric Blain-Spain, Chair of the COOB, who is said to be a cousin to the State Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain;- emailed members calling for Sumpter’s resignation, claiming she violated caucus rules by issuing a press release without prior approval. According to COOB bylaws, all communications must align with party messaging and be pre-approved by leadership—another mechanism designed to muzzle dissent.
At the convention, I personally confronted these power brokers. Former State Chair Carol Fowler, who still serves on the COOB, claimed that the email in question supported Sumpter. That was false. I had already intercepted the original email, which explicitly stated that her press release was unauthorized and grounds for removal.
The establishment was caught in a lie.
When I confronted Fowler on the floor, she physically grabbed my arm. I snatched it away. How dare someone who sees herself as the Hillary Clinton of South Carolina attempt to strongarm me while I held the receipts?
This email, which was later distributed among Black Democrats, showed how the party planned to force Sumpter out—even after she worked tirelessly to meet their expectations.
The real issue wasn’t protocol—it was fear. The establishment has long feared the rise of a premier Black-led political body operating independently of their control, one capable of eclipsing even the influence of the legislative Black Caucus. Under pressure from key Democratic leaders in the South Carolina Statehouse, Trav Robertson was tasked with “wrangling in” Dr. Johnnie Cordero—a leader who had built significant political influence through his consistent advocacy and unmatched ability to mobilize support around Black issues. Ironically, these are the very things establishment Democrats—including some Black Democrats—have struggled to achieve in recent years.
While the current leadership of the Legislative Black Caucus remains open to community partnership and committed to democratic values, many establishment Democrats—particularly within the South Carolina Democratic Party’s state leadership—continue to operate behind the scenes, raising money in the name of justice while failing to distribute resources equitably. Precinct leaders are left without meaningful support, and delegates—often unaware of their responsibilities beyond voting for state officers—are used as pawns in a larger game designed to preserve the status quo. The result? A cycle of loss after loss. The only consistent exception is Richland County—a historic, Black-led and Black-voting bloc district that continues to be a political stronghold despite being under constant pressure from party elites.
Trav Robertson Jr. even acknowledged the toll this battle has taken on him, citing high blood pressure and stress—perhaps from the gallon of sweet tea he’s known to consume regularly from Lizard’s Thicket, or perhaps from finally being exposed. Regardless, Dr. Cordero stood firm in his demand to dissolve the COOB and end all efforts to disempower the caucuses.
Adding to the circus, Fowler stepped up to the mic to oppose the resolution—claiming, “I believe I need to say something in opposition to this resolution seeing as how I sit on the COOB.” No surprise there.
Ultimately, the majority-white delegation, uninformed and unfamiliar with Richland County’s political dynamics, voted along party lines—once again ignoring the Black voters whose loyalty they routinely solicit but whose leadership they repeatedly undercut.
This must stop.
Today's actions by Robertson and Fowler—rooted in lies, manipulation, and power hoarding—are antithetical to the Democratic Party's mission. As Chair Christale Spain herself said from the podium, “We need to regain the voters’ trust.”
That won’t happen by suppressing truth-tellers and sidelining Black leadership.
It will happen when we stop tolerating deception, demand equity in both voice and vote, and create space for authentic grassroots movements. I will continue to call out those who seek to block our progress—those who think they know better than us—and I will keep fighting to ensure that the Statehouse no longer belongs to the sons of the Confederacy, but to the people.
The Party bosses of the SCDP have always feared Black people gaining political power. Hence why they take down every black person who refused to kiss their ring and fall in line.
Did the Chairwoman of the Council of Black Democrats approve or disapprove of the resolution?
Instead of building power from the ground up and empowering the Black voters and grassroots leaders who are the backbone of the party, SC Democratic Party leadership continues to double down on silencing dissent, protecting the status quo, and playing power games like the COOB. This isn’t just morally wrong its politically suicidal. You cannot win in South Carolina while sidelining Black communities and ignoring working-class voters desperate for change.
The state party must face reality: we are not losing because voters are lazy. We’re losing because too many South Carolinians no longer see the Democratic Party as a viable option that has their best interests in mind. If Democrats don’t hold the Democratic leadership accountable, we will deserving al…