Democrats welcome U.S. Rep. James Clyburn

“We’re at the lowest unemployment rate since 2007. The record is good, but you’d be less than honest if you say everybody is recovered from this because not everyone has. Our challenge now is to make this an economy that works for everyone.” — U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina

The 2016 general election is officially less than a year away, and local Democrats are preparing.

“We’re in campaign mode now,” said U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina, assistant Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. “Our goal is to convince people we’ll be in better hands with a Democrat leading us.”

Rep. Clyburn spoke to more than 200 guests at Longboat Key Democratic Club’s luncheon Nov. 10, at Harbourside. He spoke of the upcoming election and the economy.

“The Obama administration has done a great job of getting jobs back on track,” he said. “We’re at the lowest unemployment rate since 2007. The record is good, but you’d be less than honest if you say everybody is recovered from this because not everyone has. Our challenge now is to make this an economy that works for everyone.”

Because he spoke a day before Veterans Day, he also showed his appreciation for veterans.

“Tomorrow is Veterans Day, and I don’t think it would be appropriate without talking about it,” Rep. Clyburn said. “They’ve made so many sacrifices for us and our country, and it’s a very important day.”

Rep. Clyburn has served South Carolina’s sixth congressional district since 1993 and was the House majority whip from 2007 to 2011 He has been House assistant Democratic leader since 2011 and is currently the third-ranking House Democrat behind Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer.