South Carolina Lede

Mike Switzer interviews Liam Hein, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the University of SC in Columbia.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 10, 2026: we look at what the ramifications of election night mean for the Statehouse and the new Wilson administration; host Gavin Jackson is joined by reporter Maayan Schechter to discuss the state of play just about two months away from the start of session; we hear from Congresswoman elect Nancy Lacore and Senator Elect Dr. Annie Andrews;...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 7, 2026: we look at election day with the folks who won and lost at the top of the ticket; we also hear from folks like Republican Nate Leupp on what happened in the Upstate, with Greenville going blue for Annie Andrews, and Democrat Antjuan Seawright on what this blue wave means for Democrats; and more!

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, fina...

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...

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...

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...

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 amon...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 29, 2026: we look at the candidates running for S.C. Attorney General; both Republican 8th circuit solicitor David Stumbo and Democrat lawyer Richard Hricik discuss what they want to do with the office, which has been occupied by S.C. AG Alan Wilson for nearly 16 years; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 26, 2026: we’re getting back to some roots for a moment; we’re talking infrastructure, we’re talking economics, we’re talking a little bit of politics; and more!

On this episode of the Lede for September 22, 2026: we talk with Winthrop political science professor Dr. Scott Huffmon about the state of play for the midterm elections; new polling for the US senate race; 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!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 9, 2026: we hear from Congressman Jim Clyburn who was on Meet the Press discussing a variety of issues, including what it would take for Dr. Annie Andrews to win in November; we have comments from California Gov. Gavin Newsom who was at several events during his two-day swing last week; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 5, 2026: host Gavin Jackson brings you his exclusive one-on-one interview with former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice John Cannon Few in his first interview since losing the support of the General Assembly this past March in his attempt to get reelected to a second, 10-year term to the state Supreme Court; they talk about his career, hi...

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 o...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 29, 2026: Sen. Darline Graham has won the U.S. Senate Republican nomination, defeating 5th District Congressman Ralph Norman in the special primary runoff; Graham will now face off against Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, as well as libertarian and constitution party candidates in November; we hear from Norman, Graham, and supporters, and find out h...

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 Congres...

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 18, 2026: we are in the sprint to the August 25th U.S. Senate Republican special primary runoff between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman; we have more analysis of the race from USC's Dr. Kirk Randazzo; Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy was in town stumping for State Sen. Wes Climer, who was running for the 5th Congressional District; and mor...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 15, 2026: we are heading to the August 25 special U.S. Senate Republican primary runoff between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman; we hear from the two of them on election night; we also get analysis and a look ahead with political communications strategist Rob Godfrey; and more!