ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — The Democratic primary in South Carolina this Saturday has morphed into an under-the-radar contest for those eyeing the party’s nomination in 2028.

A host of prominent Democratic politicians with national ambitions have descended on the state over the last week, all hyping the Biden agenda and rallying for the 2024 campaign as surrogates. California Gov. Gavin Newsom took questions from the mayor and county leaders in Allendale, S.C. last week, while Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) headlined the South Carolina Democratic Party’s Black Caucus dinner in Columbia, S.C, last Sunday.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) called Vice President Kamala Harris “my girl” during his introduction for her at a rally at South Carolina State University. And senior staffers for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker met with state legislators this month to discuss what Democrats needed to win races inside the state, according to a person familiar with the sit-downs.

It’s the kind of grasstops glad-handing that seasoned politicians spin as surrogacy for the man atop the ticket but that equally attuned local officials recognize as — to use a colloquial term — laying the groundwork.

“I’m focused on 2024, but if anyone wants to run in 2028, it’d be smart for them to be here now,” said South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain. “If they have further aspirations, South Carolina is a place they should spend time.”

Clyburn, whose 2020 endorsement brought Biden’s primary campaign back to life, said, “a lot’s taking place for 2028” in his state already. Clyburn noted that “there are a lot of people I hear for 2028.” He mentioned Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock by name.

Saturday’s primary marks a milestone for........

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