NORTH CHARLESTON — Democrats from across the state and country braved a cold, steady rain Nov. 6 to celebrate the Blue Jamboree, the Charleston County Democratic Party's largest fundraiser of the year.
Doug Jones, a former U.S. senator from Alabama, rallied South Carolina Democrats rattled by bruising losses in the off-year elections, including a big win for Republicans in the Virginia governor's race.
"How many times have we heard in the past that, you know, Democrats are dead, we're going to give them a red tsunami, Democrats are panicking," Jones said. "Nobody's panicking. We're just determined. We're not deterred. You're here on this rainy day because you are not deterred."
Jones received a round of applause when he brought up the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that passed the U.S. House shortly before midnight Friday.
An important part of President Joe Biden's agenda, the bipartisan bill provides billions of federal dollars to repair the nation's roads and bridges, expand public transit and increase internet access in rural areas.
"Democrats have seized this moment. As has been said, this has not been just another infrastructure week — we got it done," Jones said, alluding to former President Donald Trump's attempt to pass a similar bill. "And we've seized this moment to not only invest in the infrastructure, but to do it in a way that tackles the growing threat of climate change in this country."
Other speakers included Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham and state Sen. Mia McLeod, who's running for governor along with Cunningham.
Greg Perry, chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, said the Blue Jamboree was an opportunity to bring Democrats from across the state together to be empowered and energized.
After some highs and lows this week, Perry said he felt the party was "delayed, but not denied."
"We may not have what we want right now," he said. "But we are surely going to fight, and we're going to get what we need."