The Rev. Al Sharpton made one of several Lowcountry stops in Beaufort on Sunday and said he plans to continue campaigning across the state through the Feb. 3 primary.
The message to the predominantly black church Sunday was as simple as it was hopeful: "It's not over yet."
While the other six remaining Democratic presidential candidates have been crisscrossing Iowa and New Hampshire over the past few weeks, Sharpton has decided to show his strength in South Carolina.
"I think the South Carolina vote is very important," Sharpton said. "I think South Carolina represents a broad section of America, and it will be the first primary to do so. I respect New Hampshire, but New Hampshire does not represent the diversity of the Democratic Party."
In an attempt to emphasize his commitment to the South Carolina campaign, Sharpton spoke about the quick stops some of the other candidates will make in the state later this week.
"Most folks just do a drive-by campaign," he said.
Sharpton released a new radio ad Friday and plans to roll out further spots with endorsements from hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and celebrity lawyer Johnny Cochran.
"We intend, in this last stretch, to do what is necessary to get the maximum vote," he said.
The importance of voter turnout resonated with John Evans, a Tabernacle Baptist Church deacon.
"I think he's right on time with everything he says," Evans said. "We know if everyone gets out to vote, it can turn this election."
Kenneth Varmer agreed.
"It takes all of us to make it. The few can't decide for the many. Everybody's got to take part," he said.
Late last week, Sharpton sent a letter to Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe stressing that he would be in the campaign until the candidate is selected this summer at the party convention in Boston.
Sharpton reiterated that commitment from the pulpit Sunday.
"You vote for somebody, and they get to the next primary and drop out, you waste your vote," Sharpton said. "One thing you know is that I'm not going anywhere."
Sharpton also spoke to the fears some have that he's not likely to receive the nomination.
"Don't waste your vote trying to guess who is going to win," he said. "There are seven people in this race, six of them will lose. I'm not the only one risking a loss."
Following the Beaufort event, Sharpton cut the ribbon on his Lowcountry office in Ridgeland, followed by two town hall meetings in Jasper County and a WUGB 1490 radio interview.
Though he said this was one race no one can predict, Sharpton has his own modest hope for its conclusion.
"At the end of this race, win or lose, it will be worth it to me if I am able to inspire one young man or one young woman to look at me and know that I came from the same ghetto they did, from a broken home, broke on welfare. ... If they can watch me walk across that stage and debate senators and governors and hold my own, they'll know that they don't have to be a gang member."