Republican Party

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 31, 2026: we’re recapping the final week of the 2026 campaign trail with a major Republican confab in Myrtle Beach on Monday, headlined by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan; we take this opportunity to look at the big question of GOP unity in a time when fractures could cost them big at the ballot box; we also have new ratings, final polls, and money numbers; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 24, 2026: Trump rallied for Sen. Darline Graham in the Upstate, getting a boost from the Governor and House Speaker Murrell Smith this week; we hear from voters at the fair, the Upstate, and Trump supporters; Maayan Schechter has an interview with State Election Commission Director Conway Belangia as we close out the first week of early voting; and more!

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 August 25, 2026: we take you to Pres. Donald Trump’s rally for Sen. Darline Graham in Myrtle Beach last Friday; we also talk with the voters of Horry County about the election, who they’re backing, and their big issues; Gavin talks with NBC News’ Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki about pathways to victory in Tuesday’s runoff between Graham and Congressman Ralph Norman; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 22, 2026: we bring you highlights from the special U.S. Senate Republican primary runoff debate from this week.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 11, 2026: you’ve already heard from the candidates, now you’re going to hear from the voters on this special election day; we’ll also discuss Pres. Donald Trump’s influence on this race; host Gavin Jackson brings you clips from his visit to Joint Base Charleston, now Joint Base Lindsey Graham, on Monday; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 8, 2026: host Gavin Jackson introduces you to the top five candidates vying for the republican nomination for U.S. Senate on August 11 in the Senate special republican primary.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 4, 2026: we recap for you all the major moments from the celebrations of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s life in Washington and in Columbia over the past few days; we also look at the race to replace Graham on the November ballot, with nine certified candidates all vying for the nomination on August 11, and more likely the August 25 runoff; we have highlights from those candidates, who held their first stump on Saturday; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 27, 2026: we take you on the final two weeks of the gubernatorial runoff primary trail; we also look at how Attorney General Alan Wilson won a decisive victory in securing the Republican nomination over Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette; and more!

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!