South Carolina Lede

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 23, 2025: we look at the abrupt removal of the state election commission director Howard Knapp; we get an update on illicit drug trends in the state from the DEA; we also have some new polling on the governor’s race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 20, 2025: we continue to look at the political and constitutional fall out of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk; we hear from a leading constitutional law professor discuss the First Amendment; we recently spoke with strategic communications consultant and former campaign hand Rob Godfrey who gives his initial read on the 2026 governor’s race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 16, 2025: we continue our look at the fallout of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham who was on NBC’s Meet the Press, as well as Utah Gov. Spencer Cox; gubernatorial candidate Rep. Nancy Mace yells at a colleague on the House floor over gender affirming care; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 13, 2025: a special back-to-school edition of the Lede recorded live at Rock Hill Brewing in Rock Hill, S.C., featuring Associated Press national politics reporter Meg Kinnard and Winthrop University political science professor Dr. Scott Huffmon.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 9, 2025: updates on statehouse activity, including the latest with former state Rep. RJ May who is set to go on trial in a month; a new CBS News poll on how Americans feel about National Guard troops in Washington and potentially other cities; a look at some economic data ahead of the Fed’s meeting next week on interest rates; 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 26, 2025: we have a small, dedicated pod on infrastructure; we welcome special guest SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell; we catch you up on all things roads and bridges; 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!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 19, 2025: we have several major campaign announcements to bring you, including two new Republican candidates and the first Democratic candidate; we also have another Republican candidate who has jumped into the attorney general’s race; updates from two congressional races; and more!