2026 Election

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 18, 2025: we preview some of the legislative meetings happening this week, including the screening of judicial candidates and a hearing on what would be the most restrictive abortion law if passed; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham on the shutdown ending, the looming healthcare debate, and potential conflict in Venezuela; we also have a 1st congressional district update for you; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 15, 2025: we continue our look at Election 2026 and tackle the latest major news out of Washington with the end of the federal government shutdown; we welcome AP National Politics Reporter Meg Kinnard and South Carolina Public Radio Statehouse and political reporter Maayan Schechter to join the conversation; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 8, 2025: we continue our look at the ramifications of the federal government shutdown and hear from Congressman Russell Fry and Sen. Lindsey Graham; we continue to look at the ramifications of federal decisions, including a report from Maayan Schechter on the impacts to South Carolina farmers; Congresswoman Nancy Mace is suing the Charleston International Airport while she faces an ethics complaint filed against her; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 4, 2025: we look at the latest drama from the gubernatorial campaign trail, including Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s security meltdown; we have the latest on the government shutdown; Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell provides an economic update while cutting rates; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 1, 2025: we look at the federal government shutdown, the lapse in SNAP benefits, how the state is responding, and how it will affect 560,000 South Carolinians; Republican gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Alan Wilson rolled out his law and order platform; state Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson jumps into the race for governor; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 28, 2025: we have some breaking Democratic campaign trail news on the gubernatorial front and updates on several other state campaigns as well; we have the latest on the drama involving leadership at the State Election Commission; SNAP benefits are about to disappear for more than half a million South Carolinians as the government shutdown continues; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 4, 2025: the federal government remains shutdown; we hear what Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Nancy Mace told hundreds at the Turning Point USA Clemson University chapter; the ACLU of SC is suing Clemson over their firing of a professor for exercising his first amendment right; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 6, 2025: we look at the new hands-free cellphone driving law; the Epstein files were the talk of the first week back in Washington, including among several of our lawmakers in the delegation; we have some spicy campaign trail activity as gubernatorial candidates continue to vie for President Donald Trump’s endorsement; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 2, 2025: we’re looking at the ad wars that are heating up and we’re on the campaign trail with Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in Walhalla; Rep. Joe Wilson was recently in Syria; we find out what Gov. McMaster thinks about Taylor Swift’s engagement; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 23, 2025: we brief you on what four of the five Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed at a recent Republican gathering in Myrtle Beach; we caught up with Sen. Lindsey Graham on the campaign trail in the Pee Dee; two big endorsements also dropped this week—who got a the political equivalent of a Bachelor rose from whom; and more!