U.S. House · South Carolina's 2nd District
Zyon Khalifa
CandidateD
- Race
- U.S. House · South Carolina's 2nd District
- Result
- Not yet called
- Opponents
- Joe Wilson (R); Dayna Alane Smith (Workers Party)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did2 statements · 0 votes
Implement a minimum wage increase so that full-time workers can achieve financial stability and support their families.
Raise the minimum wage
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 2
2026-11-03
| Joe Wilson R | incumbent |
| Zyon Khalifa D | challenger |
| Dayna Alane Smith Workers Party | challenger |
Won the Democratic primary runoff (June 23, 2026) with 53.8% of the vote
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
Implement a minimum wage increase so that full-time workers can achieve financial stability and support their families.
His campaign platform calls for a minimum wage increase so full-time workers can achieve financial stability.[3]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Advocating for policies that promote solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions.
His campaign platform calls for policies promoting solar, wind and other renewable energy and for legislation aiming at net-zero emissions.[3]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Zyon Khalifa is the Democratic nominee for South Carolina's 2nd District. A South Carolina native, Air Force veteran and recent law school graduate, he won the June 23, 2026, runoff to become the nominee. He says he is running on economic opportunity, affordability and infrastructure, healthcare access, and veterans' benefits.[1][2]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
According to his Ballotpedia survey, Khalifa is a South Carolina native who graduated from Silver Bluff High School. He told the Post and Courier he grew up in a household that sometimes lacked electricity and enough food.[1][2] He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2020 to 2025. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 2023, where, according to the Post and Courier, he was an athlete, and a law degree from the Southern University Law Center in 2026.[1][2]
Khalifa is a political newcomer, the Post and Courier reported. He finished second in the June 9, 2026, Democratic primary with 34.1% behind David Robinson II (41.0%), then won the June 23 runoff with 53.8% of the vote, earning the right to challenge Republican Rep. Joe Wilson.[1][2] He describes himself as a Gen Z candidate and "next-generation leader" focused on engaging voters who have historically been overlooked, particularly young people.[1]
In their own words
Priorities
- Expanding economic opportunity, supporting small businesses and workforce development, and improving infrastructure so families do not have to leave the district to succeed.[4]
- Improving healthcare access and affordability, especially in underserved areas.[4]
- Advancing data privacy protections and criminal justice reform focused on both public safety and rehabilitation.[4]
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
“Prioritize enforcement on serious public safety threats, not families and workers contributing to our communities”[3]
On his campaign website platform page, 2026
- Protect legal access to abortion
“Protecting access to reproductive healthcare, including contraception, sufficient funding for alternatives, focusing on the mental and physical health of mothers.”[3]
On his campaign website platform page, 2026
- Expand public health coverage
“Advocate for enhancements to Medicare, ensuring comprehensive coverage and support for all eligible South Carolinians.”[3]
On his campaign website platform page, 2026
- Universal, publicly funded child care
“Supporting working families through enacting a mandatory paid maternity leave and affordable childcare.”[3]
On his campaign website platform page, 2026
Campaign money$19K raised · 100% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $19K
Largest committee contributions
No direct contributions from PACs or other committees in the FEC’s bulk data.
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/zyon-khalifa
Compare all 3 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Zyon Khalifa · Ballotpedia (Candidate Connection survey) Candidate's own words
- 2.SC Democrats decide who will challenge Joe Wilson for seat in Congress · The Post and Courier · 2026-06-24 News report
- 3.Platform · Khalifa for Congress campaign website · 2026-10-03 Candidate's own words
- 4.Zyon Khalifa · Ballotpedia (Candidate Connection survey) Candidate's own words