Latest South Carolina state government News

Charleston, South Carolina, elects its first Republican mayor since Reconstruction Era

Nov. 22, 2023 11:34 AM EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The historic South Carolina city of Charleston has elected its first Republican mayor since the Reconstruction Era. William Cogswell, formerly a Republican state lawmaker, defeated incumbent Democratic Mayor John Tecklenburg by about 2 percentage points in...

Editorial Roundup: South Carolina

Nov. 16, 2023 13:34 PM EST

Post and Courier. November 15, 2023. Editorial: Atlantic Beach election coup demands state action We’re not sure what’s going on in Atlantic Beach, but we’re pretty sure of this: It shouldn’t be. And although we’re confident that a lawsuit...

South Carolina justice warns judicial diversity is needed in only state with all-male high court

Nov. 07, 2023 16:42 PM EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The man expected to become the next chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court vowed Tuesday to support judicial diversity in the only state with an all-male high court. Foregoing the usual black robe for a navy suit during a rare public appearance...

Judge likely to be next South Carolina chief justice promises he has no political leanings

Nov. 06, 2023 13:19 PM EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The only candidate running to be South Carolina's top judge defended the state's method of having lawmakers fill the state’s bench, saying appointees are ethical and qualified. John Kittredge laid out his vision for being chief justice Monday at the first...

South Carolina has lethal injection drug but justices want more info before restarting executions

Nov. 02, 2023 11:13 AM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's highest court apparently is not ready to allow the state to restart executions after more than 12 years until they hear more arguments about newly obtained lethal injection drugs as well as a recently added firing squad and the old electric chair. ...

Editorial Roundup: South Carolina

Nov. 02, 2023 07:17 AM EDT

The Index-Journal. October 28, 2023. Editorial: Magistrate selection steps get overdue overhaul Something happened in Columbia this past week that is long overdue. It addresses what long ago should have been recognized as a serious conflict of interest. ...

Nikki Haley formally enters her home-state primary as she tries to pull closer to Donald Trump

Oct. 30, 2023 18:04 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nikki Haley reappeared Monday at the Statehouse where her political career began to file paperwork to participate in the South Carolina primary as she hopes to become the primary alternative in her party to former President Donald Trump. The former South...

New Hampshire's presidential primary ballots will have 24 Republicans and 21 Democrats, but no Biden

Oct. 29, 2023 13:38 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A presidential primary filing period marked by lights, cameras and (in)action has come to a close at the New Hampshire secretary of state's office. Two weeks before he dropped out, former Vice President Mike Pence was the only candidate to have his own studio...

DeSantis says Florida helped send weapons to Israel — a move that could boost him in the GOP primary

Oct. 26, 2023 18:11 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he's arranged to send drones, weapons and ammunition to Israel as it prepares for an incursion of Gaza in response to Hamas' attack. It's the latest official response DeSantis has taken to back Israel as he competes in the 2024 Republican...

Teachers' advocates challenge private school voucher program in South Carolina

Oct. 26, 2023 17:51 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A group of South Carolina parents and teachers' advocates filed a challenge Thursday to a new Republican-backed law allowing taxpayer dollars to help families pay for private schools. As it stands, up to 15,000 students will eventually access $6,000 annually...