AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Politics: The GOP governor runoff is getting nastier as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson trade attacks over pay raises and judicial endorsements, with the June 23 matchup deciding who heads to November. Statehouse & Local Government: Edgefield County approved a new $1,600 impact fee on most new construction in its fastest-growth areas, aimed at funding EMS capital projects. Real Estate & Business: A Publix-anchored shopping center in Aiken sold for more than $21.25 million, while an Aiken Southside property with a supermarket reportedly fetched an eight-figure price. Community & Safety: Georgetown residents got an update on cleanup planning for the former Liberty Mill site along the waterfront. Agriculture: Two candidates are set for a runoff for South Carolina’s agricultural leader role, as the state’s farm policy stakes stay high. National Religion: Southern Baptists voted to advance a formal ban on women pastors, with a South Carolina pastor among the opposition. Economy & Daily Life: Dollar General is seeing a boost as shoppers chase cheaper grocery trips amid inflation and high costs.

SC Politics & Elections: South Carolina’s governor’s race is headed to a runoff after Nancy Mace’s primary defeat, with the GOP field narrowing and voters preparing for June 23 contests in Greenville County. Local Governance: Greenville County Council runoffs are set for June 23 in District 17 (Joe Dill vs. Travis Forrester) and District 23 (Angela Aiken vs. David Mitchell). Public Health: South Carolina expanded newborn screening, adding two more conditions to help catch serious metabolic/genetic disorders earlier. Faith & Culture: The Southern Baptist Convention advanced a formal constitutional ban on women pastors, with South Carolina pastor Doug Mize the lone opponent. State Aviation: SC’s aeronautics agency got approval to replace its second aging state plane, with plans that could include a third. Community & Services: United Way of Greenville County highlighted its education, housing, and family-support work, including millions invested locally and thousands of help connections through 211. Safety & Crime: A South Carolina man was arrested in North Carolina after a reopened child sexual abuse investigation, with multiple victims coming forward. National Policy Watch: First Lady Melania Trump launched “Fostering the Future Accounts” to give foster children $1,000 seed accounts via state child welfare agencies.

SC Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace’s GOP governor bid ended in a fifth-place finish, setting up a June 23 runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson, with Mace blaming her loss on her Epstein-files vote while analysts say it was bigger than one issue. Runoff Watch: The Evette-Wilson matchup is tight and could “go either way,” with both candidates leaning on Trump support but still needing to win over voters who backed other primary contenders. Local Business & Jobs: Charleston’s Horse Spot, an equestrian-event software startup, is expanding and adding 11 jobs after reaching 1,800 events in 45 states and three countries. Community & Growth: Summerville residents are watching a Historic District rezoning that could make it easier for homes to shift toward commercial uses like offices or hospitality. Courts: A judge will decide whether Weldon Boyd’s lawsuit against an attorney representing the Spivey family can continue. Health & Food: A new report finds synthetic dyes still show up in nearly 1 in 5 U.S. packaged foods, despite a federal voluntary phase-out plan. Weather: Thursday’s heat and humidity in the Upstate could feel near 100°.

South Carolina Politics: Lindsey Graham cruised to the GOP Senate nomination, setting up a November matchup with Democratic nominee Annie Andrews. Meanwhile, the state’s governor race is headed to a runoff: Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson will face off after Jermaine Johnson won the Democratic nod. Local Elections & Courts: York County voters picked probate judge Anna Miller and several county and House nominees, with no runoffs needed in the GOP primary contests. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved a $9 million package for Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby repairs, including $3.3 million for the North Burris Road bridge in York County. Education & Culture Wars: House Republicans grilled school leaders over transgender and DEI-related policies, a fight that’s echoing in national debates about parental rights. Religion: Southern Baptists advanced a formal ban on women pastors, with a South Carolina pastor among the opposition. Health & Costs: Trump administration warnings push more hospitals to post pricing or face penalties, and a new report finds synthetic dyes still show up in nearly 1 in 5 packaged foods.

South Carolina Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace conceded the GOP governor primary after finishing fifth, saying she lost Trump support tied to her push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files; Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson will face off in a June 23 runoff. U.S. Senate Watch: In Maine, Democrat Graham Platner won the Senate primary and will challenge Sen. Susan Collins in November, with his past controversies still looming. Federal Immigration: ICE highlighted arrests of “criminal illegal aliens,” including a Greenville County case, as lawmakers continue fighting over funding and shutdown risk. Civil Rights: A new wave of Supreme Court rulings is being criticized for gutting the Voting Rights Act’s protections. Community & Local Life: C4 Ministries of Laurens County named Amanda Anderson its new executive director. Business & Jobs: Boeing’s South Carolina 787 program helped launch Saudi startup Riyadh Air, while TPG is investing in Smith + Howard’s expansion. Sports & Culture: Dawn Staley made TIME100 Sports’ inaugural list, and North Charleston’s King BBQ earned national Food Network recognition.

South Carolina Primary Day: Polls are open statewide today for the 2026 GOP and Democratic primaries, with voters choosing nominees for governor and other offices and setting up possible runoffs later this month. GOP Governor Race: Republicans are trying to keep momentum after President Trump’s endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, while U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, Alan Wilson, Ralph Norman and others fight for a top-two finish. U.S. Senate Watch: Sen. Lindsey Graham faces a primary challenge from Mark Lynch, who claims voting machines are corrupt, as voters also weigh the broader Trump influence in South Carolina. Immigration Enforcement Funding: House Republicans narrowly advanced a major $70 billion immigration enforcement package expected to reach Trump’s desk, keeping ICE and CBP funded through the end of his term. Public Health Alert: South Carolina DPH confirmed a rabid bobcat near Fort Lawn; two people were exposed and referred for care, and one dog was euthanized. Local Safety: A fatal SUV crash in Spartanburg County left one dead and one injured, according to troopers. Business & Housing: Mortgage distress is rising nationwide, a warning sign for affordability that hits families in South Carolina too.

South Carolina Primary Day: Polls are open statewide for the June 9, 2026 primaries, with early voting topping nearly 250,000 ballots—nearly double 2024’s early total—setting up races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and more. Weather Watch: Upstate voters are heading to the polls in a damp forecast, with rain and possible thunderstorms expected through the day. GOP Governor Race: New polling shows Republican Gov. Pamela Evette backed by Trump leading the field, while Rep. Nancy Mace trails in the run-up to the primary and a possible June 23 runoff. Murdaugh Retrial Oversight: The S.C. Supreme Court appointed Judge Debra McCaslin to oversee proceedings tied to a potential Alex Murdaugh retrial after the high court reversed the 2021 murder convictions. Local Business & Growth: Palmetto InnovaSphere is partnering with Main Street Labs to support Greenville’s emerging biotech and life sciences startups with shared lab access and programming.

Murdaugh Retrial Update: South Carolina’s Supreme Court has assigned retired Judge Debra R. McCaslin to oversee all next steps in Alex Murdaugh’s double-murder case after the high court overturned his convictions, setting up the next phase of proceedings. State Politics & Primaries: With South Carolina’s June 9 primary underway, voters are weighing rising costs and Trump’s influence as Republicans and Democrats choose nominees for governor and other offices. GOP Governor Race Fallout: Two top Republican candidates publicly condemned anonymous attacks targeting Rom Reddy’s Indian heritage, calling the messages bigoted and unacceptable. SNAP Restrictions: More states, including South Carolina, are rolling out new limits on what people can buy with SNAP, tightening rules around sugary drinks and certain sweets. Public Safety: A Lexington County man, Joey Len Inabinet Jr., was convicted of murder and sentenced to life for the 2024 killing of Robert Todd Bailey. Local Culture: Beaufort’s beloved Chocolate Tree is set to reopen this fall after closing last year, bringing back a long-running family tradition.

South Carolina Primaries: Voters head to the polls Tuesday, June 9, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and photo ID required, after record early turnout that topped nearly 250,000 ballots statewide. The biggest question in the governor race: whether President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is enough to carry her through a crowded GOP field that also includes Nancy Mace. Trump’s SC GOP Fallout: A late May clash between Mace and Trump over whether he endorsed her rival has turned into a credibility problem for Mace heading into the primary. Election Watch: Another key race is Sen. Lindsey Graham’s bid for a fifth term, with multiple GOP challengers seeking to force a runoff. Lowcountry & Culture: South Carolina’s Gullah-Geechee community faces mounting pressure as health care and economic strains deepen, while climate impacts and development concerns grow. Child Welfare: A new KIDS COUNT report shows South Carolina’s child welfare ranking improved to its highest-ever level, but progress still depends heavily on conditions in poorer rural counties. Science & Reefs: USC Beaufort professor Kim Ritchie won an international coral reef research award, highlighting new work on coral health and “coral probiotics.” National Context: Across the country, a Senate vote cleared funding for immigration enforcement for the rest of Trump’s term, and AI experts warn the technology is nearing a “Terminator” moment.

Upstate Weather: Rain chances return Monday across South Carolina’s Upstate, with a few showers and storms possible, then more widespread storms Tuesday through the weekend. Education & Accountability: A new Riley Institute data tool aims to make South Carolina school performance easier to explore, while a separate commentary argues the state’s education progress is real and accelerating. South Carolina Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace says Trump’s endorsement didn’t boost her opponent much with grassroots conservatives, and she points to her push to release Epstein-related files as a key reason. Primary Focus: South Carolina GOP voters will also face two non-candidate questions on the June 9 ballot—party registration rules and whether school board candidates can run with party labels. Local Governance: Charleston County voters will choose a District 4 school board seat in a special election tied to a vacancy after a bribery and bank fraud charge against the former board member. Public Safety/Health: HCA is expanding urgent care in South Carolina by buying about a dozen MedCare clinics, rebranding them as HCA CareNow.

South Carolina GOP Primary: Rep. Nancy Mace says she didn’t get a “Trump bump” after President Donald Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, arguing grassroots conservatives are “very upset” and that any boost for Evette was only about five points. Election Rules on the Ballot: South Carolina’s Republican primary includes two non-candidate advisory questions—whether voters should be able to register with any party and whether school board candidates can run with party labels—meant as a “temperature check,” not a law change. Healthcare in SC: HCA is expanding in South Carolina urgent care by buying about a dozen MedCare clinics, rebranding them as HCA CareNow, including multiple sites along the Charleston-to-Grand Strand corridor. Media Leadership: The Post and Courier is changing its opinion leadership, with Rick Nelson set to retire as editorial page editor and Cindi Ross Scoppe taking over June 22. Public Safety & Health: A national story on measles response highlights how one California county traced exposures after a case—an example of what fast public health action can look like.

Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Senate blocked Trump’s SAVE America Act, dealing a blow to efforts to require proof of citizenship and photo ID for voting and to restrict voter registration ahead of the November midterms. South Carolina Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace’s governor bid is getting new scrutiny after Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and Mace is pushing back online with claims that the endorsement wasn’t real. Data Centers & Public Costs: A South Carolina editorial argues lawmakers must balance public interest with data center expansion—especially electricity, water use, and impacts on sensitive land—after earlier attempts at modest controls stalled. Local Health Dollars: In Mauldin, Medicaid dental services totaled $117,773 in 2024, up 1.6% from 2023, showing how billing trends track community health spending. Cancer Fundraiser: Hundreds of swimmers are set for the 10th annual Swim Across America–Charleston-Kiawah on June 6, raising money for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Business Brief: Bank of America named Chip McLeod president of Upstate South Carolina, succeeding Stacy Brandon.

Banking Leadership: Bank of America named Chip McLeod president of Upstate South Carolina, succeeding Stacy Brandon after more than a decade. Immigration Enforcement: Federal and state officials detained 48 workers and arrested two managers in an Abbeville identity-fraud and illegal-hiring probe tied to fake documents. Public Safety & Courts: Authorities arrested a man accused of stalking and threatening state Rep. Seth Rose and his family. Energy & Property Rights: A gas pipeline company filed dozens of court petitions seeking survey access from Hampton and Colleton landowners for a proposed project tied to a new power plant. Business & Industry: Boeing’s North Charleston 787 ramp is facing supply-chain snags, including engine delivery delays and seat certification backlogs. Local Government & Growth: Greenwood County advanced zoning rules that add data centers as a conditional use, despite calls for a moratorium. Infrastructure: SCDOT’s Highway 17 widening in Myrtle Beach is nearing completion, with work expected to finish by end of 2026. Elections: South Carolina’s early voting set a record with 318,000+ ballots cast ahead of the June 9 primary. Historic Milestones: The Angel Oak on Johns Island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Fort Moultrie is preparing for a major free Revolutionary War anniversary weekend.

South Carolina Politics: A Trafalgar Group poll says Rep. Nancy Mace is slipping in the crowded GOP governor race, just after President Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette—an endorsement that could reshape momentum heading into the June 9 primary. Attorney General Watch: AG Alan Wilson says his office will prosecute Pamela Schronce, a boutique owner accused of scamming more than 50 customers across multiple counties, after she’s been arrested 17 times this year. Public Safety & Courts: A vigil is planned at the Statehouse after former gas station owner Rick Chow was acquitted in the shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, with protesters calling for accountability. Education: Laurens County School District 55 superintendent Dr. Jody Penland announced his retirement effective June 30. Hurricane Readiness: Gov. Henry McMaster and state leaders ran hurricane tabletop drills to test South Carolina’s response plans for the 2026 season. Local Economy: Fairfield County posted the state’s top job growth rate—up 5.9% from Sept. 2024 to Sept. 2025—citing industrial expansion and workforce efforts. Opioid Response: Charleston County is seeking a $1.17 million federal grant to expand overdose prevention, Narcan access, and on-scene medication-assisted treatment.

Local Power Grid Tensions: Aiken County residents are again pushing for help from county leaders over a planned power transmission line, after years of debate over routes and impacts. Immigration Enforcement in SC: “Operation Ghost Story” tied to a South Carolina identity-fraud scheme led to ICE detaining 48 workers and state grand jury indictments of six, including two managers, alleging forged IDs and unauthorized employment. Charleston Traffic Tech: A new “TheBridge” app aims to alert drivers in Charleston and Beaufort in real time when major drawbridges open and close, helping people avoid backups. Economy & Cost of Living: A new analysis warns Social Security could trigger an automatic 24% benefit cut in 2032, averaging about $500 less per month for retirees nationwide. Business & Jobs: Red Metals secured $10 million in seed funding for a planned $70 million copper refining facility in Charleston County, targeting domestic supply and new jobs. Housing & Lifestyle: Greenville’s Hidden Hills Drive sees another luxury listing—an about $1.4 million Charleston-style home that went contingent after just 11 days.

Pentagon Hiring Controversy: A convicted Jan. 6 rioter, Elias Irizarry, has been appointed to a sensitive Pentagon role overseeing special operations and counterterrorism policy, raising fresh questions about trust and vetting in national security jobs. Upstate Immigration Crackdown: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced “Ghost Story” indictments tied to a raid at Burnstein Von Seelen Precision Casting in Abbeville, with 48 workers detained by ICE and six people indicted, including two managers, over alleged forged IDs and identity fraud. Statehouse Primaries: With the June 9 GOP primary underway, U.S. Rep. William Timmons faces challengers David Atchley and Robert E. Lee in South Carolina’s 4th District as voters weigh redistricting and local issues. Local Governance & Growth: Summerville residents are debating a proposed open-container district, with supporters pointing to downtown foot traffic and opponents warning about fit and enforcement. Public Safety: North Myrtle Beach is urging hurricane-season preparedness as Atlantic season begins, even with forecasts calling for fewer storms. Education Support: Steinberg Law Firm named three Lowcountry students as scholarship recipients, awarding $2,000 each.