Democratic Party

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 20, 2026: we caught up with Rep. James Clyburn, who was casting his vote early in Orangeburg; Sen. Darline Graham breaks with Pres. Trump over his move to give Russia a break on oil sanctions; we look deeper into whether a Democrat like Dr. Annie Andrews can win in this red state; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 12, 2026: we continue our look at the Democrats in South Carolina ahead of the November election; we’re continuing our time on the campaign trail with Dr. Annie Andrews and hear again from national figures like Pete Buttigieg and Gavin Newsom; and more!

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a possible Democratic presidential candidate, returned to South Carolina, which was chosen by the DNC to hold the first primary on the Democrats' 2028 calendar.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 1, 2026: the Associated Press reports that on Congress’ to-do list is likely a stopgap funding bill to keep things funded through early December; we may see the Senate-approved, expanded Russian sanctions bill, named after Sen. Lindsey Graham; we’ll also be watching to see how Congress handles the pending deadline for the recriminalization of hemp-derived THC products; and more!

State Rep. Jermaine Johnson on Thursday announced Charleston Democrat Sam Skardon as his lieutenant governor running mate.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 16, 2026: we look at the ongoing endorsement game leading up to the June 23 runoff; we also continue to look at the runoff races in the First Congressional District; we have highlights from a May forum the Democrats participated in; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 6, 2026: we bring you highlights from the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial debates that Gavin Jackson moderated this week as we enter the sprint to the June 9 primary.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 17, 2026: we sit down with Senate Minority Brad Hutto and House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford about the legislative session so far and what they hope to accomplish in a Republican supermajority Statehouse; two big national Democrats are heading to the Palmetto State later this month; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 20, 2026: we hear from some potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls; we remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; we also have major campaign trail updates; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 3, 2025: we recap the big state Democratic Party weekend which included big party names like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; also, a development in the 2026 gubernatorial race as Richland Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson announces the formation of an exploratory committee; and more!