South Carolina Lede

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 3, 2026: we bring you host Gavin Jackson’s recap of the final days of the 2026 campaign trail.

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 27, 2026: we bring you our final candidate profile of the 2026 cycle with a look at the two candidates running for the U.S. Senate—Republican incumbent Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician; 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 October 17, 2026: we’re less than three weeks away from election day, with early voting starting Monday. Host Gavin Jackson sits down with First Congressional District candidates vying to replace outgoing Congresswoman Nancy Mace; we talk with Republican Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt and Democrat retired Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 13, 2026: we take you to the debate stage for the only U.S. Senate debate between Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, Republican Sen. Darline Graham, and Libertarian Kasie Whitener; we stay on the Senate trail and head to Charleston where U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, NRSC Chairman Tim Scott, and Sen. Graham participated in a fundraiser last week; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 10, 2026: we have some highlights from the one and only governor’s debate; we look at money flowing into the U.S. Senate race, and derogatory comments the President made toward Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews; we’re on the midterm trail with another national Democrat, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 6, 2026: it’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this podcast will focus exclusively on that; we have host Gavin Jackson’s interview with Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, along with Monique Garvin, director of the Violence Against Women Act programs at the SC Attorney General’s office; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 3, 2026: Gov. Henry McMaster and others were at the third annual nuclear summit in Columbia Tuesday to discuss South Carolina’s energy future; several big name Democrats will be floating around the state on Friday, including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and California Rep. Ro Kahanna; new zoning is raising concerns among residents over the placement of a major data center; and more!