Zyon
Khalifa
Democratic challenger Zyon Khalifa, Air Force reservist and new JD, runs against incumbent Joe Wilson in SC-02 in 2026.
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 3
Background
Zyon Deshon Khalifa is a Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Republican Joe Wilson for South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District seat in the November 3, 2026 election. A native of Aiken County, he earned a B.A. in business administration from the University of South Carolina in 2023 and a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in May 2026, and was a former USC track athlete. 148
Khalifa joined the Air Force Reserve in 2020, working in transportation logistics, and has also worked part-time as a mechanic. His legal and advocacy background includes work with the public defender's office while attending law school, the ACLU of Colorado, the Alliance for Children's Rights, and community-based law offices in South Carolina and Louisiana. 4
He holds no prior elected office and has not previously served in Congress. His campaign is registered with both the FEC and the South Carolina State Election Commission. 810
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, South Carolina
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- khalifaforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 5newsKhalifa gives campaign interview discussing his agenda as political newcomer
WACH Fox/WPDE published an interview with Khalifa, describing him as a political newcomer hoping to unseat incumbent Joe Wilson and noting he came to discuss his agenda. No detailed transcript or specific policy quotes were reported.
Political newcomer Zyon Khalifa hopes to unseat SC incumbent Congressman Joe Wilson · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4newsKhalifa says he would vote for war-powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from Iran hostilities
In an emailed reply to Dispute Index, Khalifa answered 'Yes' when asked whether he would vote for a war-powers resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran. The response was published October 5.
Zyon Khalifa says he would vote for a war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingKhalifa listed as active Democratic candidate on SC certified ballot
A profile citing the South Carolina State Election Commission's certified candidate list reported Khalifa as an active Democratic candidate for the November 3 general election, alongside Republican Joe Wilson and Workers Party candidate Dayna Alane Smith.
Zyon Deshon Khalifa (D) — U.S. Representative, SC-02 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22debateSC Democratic Party announces Khalifa–Wilson debate scheduled for October 19
The South Carolina Democratic Party posted that Khalifa would debate incumbent Joe Wilson on October 19, asking interested attendees to register by October 2.
South Carolina Democratic Party · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingFEC quarterly filing shows Khalifa raised ~$13K–$19K through June 30
FEC reports through June 30 showed Khalifa's campaign raised approximately $13,276–$19,000 (figures vary by source), spent a similar amount, and held roughly $724–$1,000 cash on hand. Both figures refer to the same reporting period; the summaries are inconsistent.
Zyon Deshon Khalifa (D) — U.S. Representative, SC-02 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 23newsKhalifa wins Democratic runoff with ~53.8%, becomes nominee
Khalifa defeated David Robinson II in the Democratic runoff, reportedly receiving 53.8% of the vote, securing the Democratic nomination to face Republican incumbent Joe Wilson.
South Carolina's 2nd congressional district — 2026 candidates ... · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 9filingKhalifa finishes second in SC-2 Democratic primary, advances to runoff
Zyon Khalifa finished second in the June 9 Democratic primary in South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, qualifying him for a runoff against David Robinson II.
South Carolina's 2nd congressional district — 2026 candidates ... · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Rep. John King officialListed as an endorser on a secondary candidate-profile page; no primary announcement or dated statement could be located to confirm. predictionedge.com
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund organizationListed as an endorser on a secondary candidate-profile page; Khalifa's name could not be verified in Victory Fund endorsement announcements reviewed. Treated as reported but not independently confirmed. predictionedge.com
- The Carolina Courier newspaperListed on a secondary candidate-profile page as having endorsed Khalifa in the Democratic runoff; no dated endorsement article could be located to verify the claim directly. predictionedge.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $19K
- Spent
- $19K
- Cash on hand
- $724
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6SC02159(opens in a new tab)
Sources 10
- [1] Political newcomer Zyon Khalifa hopes to unseat SC incumbent Congressman Joe Wilson(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [2] Zyon Khalifa says he would vote for a war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [3] Platform | Join Us for Positive Change - Khalifa For Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] Zyon Deshon Khalifa (D) — U.S. Representative, SC-02 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [5] South Carolina Democratic Party(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [6] South Carolina's 2nd congressional district — 2026 candidates ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [7] www.wistv.com · 2026/09/07 · scs-2nd-congressionalSouth Carolina’s Second Congressional District race takes ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 7, 2026
- [8] Zyon El-Khalifa - 2026 Election Polls & Odds | Prediction Edge(opens in a new tab) Jul 4, 2026
- [9] Zyon Khalifa | BallotReady(opens in a new tab) Jun 9, 2026
- [10] Civic Compass — Know your ballot. Vote your values.(opens in a new tab) Mar 11, 2026