Past South Carolina presidential primary winners

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2020 Democrats make final pitch in South Carolina ahead of primary

Joe Biden pulls ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders in a new state poll after a key endorsement from Rep. James Clyburn; Ellison Barber reports from the campaign trail in Charleston.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina traditionally holds the first southern primary in the race for the White House.

And unlike New Hampshire -- where only independents can choose the party primary they want to vote in -- South Carolina holds an open primary. That means anyone of any political affiliation or no affiliation at all can cast a ballot.

THE LATEST FROM FOX NEWS ON THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Since 1980, the winner of the Republican primary in South Carolina has gone on to win the GOP presidential nomination – with one exception. That was in 2012, when eventual nominee Mitt Romney finished second behind former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. For the Democrats, South Carolina also plays a very important role as a key indicator of the crucial African-American vote.

This cycle, black voters are expected to make up roughly 60 percent of the Democratic presidential primary electorate in the Palmetto State. Here’s a look at the recent winners in South Carolina’s presidential primaries.

DEMOCRATS

2000: Vice President Al Gore

2004: Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina

2008: Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois

2012: President Obama, unopposed

2016: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

REPUBLICANS

2000: Texas Gov. George W. Bush

2004: Primary canceled

2008: Sen. John McCain of Arizona

2012: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

2016: Donald Trump