Zyon Khalifa

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]

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]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.