King Day in South Carolina Drawing Democratic Presidential Hopefuls

The Democratic Party's leading presidential hopefuls are splitting their time between the critical early-voting states South Carolina and Iowa at events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

South Carolina's first-in-the-South primary is a crucial proving ground for a candidate's mettle with black voters. The state's showcase holiday celebration, Columbia's King Day at the Dome, is a notable and highly visible event for a Democratic politician.

The festivities are marked by a march through the streets of downtown Columbia and a rally at the Statehouse. All the top-tier candidates plan to start Monday with prayer services around Columbia.

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