By Seanna Adcox | Editor-in-chief
Thank you to everyone who practiced their right to vote. I was pleasantly surprised to see that more people voted in the runoff than in the primary two weeks ago. That said, turnout wasn’t great: 12.2% of registered voters participated. But that’s better than 11.1% when 10 candidates were on the ballot.
“The goal here is a recognition that the House represents all the people of South Carolina, and the Senate represents all the people of South Carolina.” - Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, on agreed changes to how earmarks are funded starting next year.
U.S. Sen. Darline Graham thanks supporters Tuesday night in Columbia after being declared the winner of the special GOP runoff. (Photo by John A. Carlos II/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)
By Seanna Adcox (with Jessica Holdman in Rock Hill and Skylar Laird in Columbia)
Voters elected Darline Graham to take her late brother’s place on November ballots, as the full backing of President Donald Trump helped overcome criticism of her political inexperience. Graham won with 52.5% of the vote, a 5 percentage-point lead over U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, according to unofficial Election Commission results. The article includes two galleries of photos by Jessica at Norman’s election night party and freelance photographer John Carlos at Graham’s celebration.
Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister responds to a question from Rep. Jordan Pace in House chambers on Aug. 11. (Courtesy of the SC House photographer’s office/photo by Sam Holland)
By Skylar Laird
The General Assembly passed a deal Tuesday spending $350 million on a long list of legislator-sponsored spending that includes parks, building renovations, water and sewer upgrades, and equipment for first responders.
Trey Gowdy’s book, “The Sound of Regret,” is a fictional story but reflects his experiences with the criminal justice system in South Carolina. (Book cover photo courtesy of FOX News Books)
COMMENTARY
By Trey Gowdy
Our latest commentary is from former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy about his new book out yesterday. It's a fictional murder mystery. However, he writes, the "stories draw on the lessons learned and the mistakes made handling thousands of criminal cases" as a state and federal prosecutor in South Carolina.
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Maryland Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal of DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo | From Maryland Matters (This is a Maryland case, but if you’re anywhere around my age, you’ll remember it.)
Louisiana teacher asks Supreme Court to stop Ten Commandments displays in classrooms | From the Louisiana Illuminator
Pennsylvania reports nation’s first confirmed measles-related deaths in 2026 | From the Pennsylvania Capital-Star
MORE FROM STATES NEWSROOM’S D.C. DESK…
Trump, McMahon promote school voucher program as students return to class | By Shauneen Miranda
Active court order still blocking Trump effort to restrict vote-by-mail | By Shauneen Miranda
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