In a bid to further solidify his recent political momentum, President Joe Biden is gearing up for the official launch of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in South Carolina. The president's victory in an unsanctioned primary election in New Hampshire last month, despite not appearing on the ballot, provided him with a much-needed boost. Thanks to a grassroots write-in campaign, Biden managed to sweep aside his challengers Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson.

The economic landscape also augurs well for Biden as he enters South Carolina. The economy witnessed a surge in January, with the addition of 353,000 jobs and a 0.6% increase in average hourly earnings. The unemployment rate now stands at a promising 3.7%.

Biden's triumph in the 2020 Democratic primary in South Carolina played a pivotal role in reviving his once financially struggling campaign. It convinced his competitors that he was the most suitable candidate to garner support from Black voters and successfully defeat the incumbent, Donald Trump.

Vice-President Kamala Harris, speaking at an event in Orangeburg on Friday, acknowledged the significance of South Carolina in propelling Biden and herself towards the White House. Harris highlighted how the state played a crucial role in their journey to victory.

Nonetheless, with an incumbent president running without serious competition, the expected buzz and voter turnout are anticipated to be lower this time around. The Republicans' primary in South Carolina isn't scheduled until February 24th, following the nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada.

According to an Emerson College poll conducted last month, approximately three in ten South Carolina voters intend to participate in the Democratic primary. A majority of nearly seven in ten expressed their support for Biden, while only 5% backed Phillips, 3% backed Williamson, and 22% remained undecided.

One voter, reflecting on her choice to support Biden, expressed her reluctance due to his age but ultimately reasoned that by voting for him, she hoped to curtail Trump's overall percentages. Another voter emphasized that Biden's ability to address the issues left unresolved by his predecessor played a significant role in their support for him.

Amidst the diverse range of opinions, some citizens also voiced their expectations for Biden's next term in office. These included a desire for him to prioritize immigration reform and a more vigorous defense of voting rights, with the hope that he would show compassion for all sections of the United States.

With polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., South Carolina's first official primary election is expected to be a momentous day for Democratic voters in the state. The Democratic National Committee, with the encouragement of Biden, made the decision to prioritize South Carolina in reshaping the presidential primary process. Their rationale was that the state's racial and economic diversity better represented the Democratic party compared to predominantly white Iowa and New Hampshire.

Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, emphasized the significance of South Carolina's new role as the host of the party's first official primary election. Speaking before supporters in Orangeburg, Harrison highlighted the historical association of the state with slavery and commended Biden for recognizing the importance of South Carolina's voice in the presidential race.

Looking ahead, Biden is unlikely to invest significant efforts in competing for South Carolina's electoral votes come November. The state has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976 and favored Trump, a Republican, by nearly 12 percentage points in the 2020 election.