politics

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!

CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is highlighting her connection to President Donald Trump in her first campaign ad for the state's gubernatorial race.

“R” is for Russell, Donald Stewart (1906-1998). University president, governor, U.S. senator, jurist.

“R” is for Russell, Donald Stewart (1906-1998). University president, governor, U.S. senator, jurist.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Democratic National Committee is seriously considering scrambling the party’s next presidential primary calendar. And South Carolina, the state that hosted the Democrats’ first-in-the-nation contest in 2024, is far from a lock to go first.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker in South Carolina has resigned from the House while awaiting trial on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material. RJ May's resignation letter, dated Thursday, reached House leadership on Monday. May was elected in 2020. His replacement could be chosen in a special election before the 2026 session.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer has suspended his GOP primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham. Bauer announced the decision on social media, citing a "political climate that rewards deception over honesty.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina is running for governor. Mace enters a GOP primary in which competition for President Donald Trump's endorsement is expected to be fierce.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is set to headline the latest iteration of an event previously billed as the largest annual gathering of Republicans in South Carolina, a state traditionally key to picking the GOP's presidential nominees, and one in which she already has deep relationships.

A chief architect of Project 2025, Paul Dans, is launching a Republican primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, joining a crowded field that will test the loyalties of President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement in next year's midterm election.