AGP Executive Report

Child Safety: An 11-month-old boy was found alive in a buried dog crate in Lexington County, more than 24 hours after authorities say his father took him; the father faces charges. Election Recounts: South Carolina officials ordered an automatic recount in the 2nd Congressional District, where Republican Joe Wilson leads Democrat Zyon Khalifa by less than one percentage point. The race follows a historic midterm in which Democrat Annie Andrews won the U.S. Senate seat and Nancy Lacore flipped the 1st District, while Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race. Public Health: South Carolina has the nation’s second-highest flu activity, prompting health officials to urge vaccination; Prisma Health and Bon Secours have imposed visitor restrictions. Road Safety: Alcohol was involved in 39% of South Carolina traffic deaths in 2023, compared with 30% nationwide, as officials prepare for holiday enforcement. Privacy and Policing: Flock Safety, whose license-plate cameras are used across the country, says it expects a wave of state regulation bills in 2027 and supports stronger safeguards.

Election Fallout: South Carolina’s midterms delivered a historic split: Democrat Annie Andrews won the U.S. Senate seat while Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race. Officials are preparing to certify results, with recounts ordered in close races; Democrats also broke the GOP’s State House supermajority. Higher Education: USC renamed its Leadership and Service Center for former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, whose donation will support a scholarship and civic-engagement lecture series. Gamecocks: No. 1 South Carolina women dominated No. 12 North Carolina, winning 84-39 behind Madina Okot Kitts’ double-double. Public Health: South Carolina has the nation’s second-highest flu activity, as health officials urge residents to take precautions. Education Policy: State leaders are reviewing the Education Scholarship Trust Fund after data-collection problems made it difficult to measure results from the taxpayer-funded program.

Education: The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund has opened applications for 2027–28, offering eligible students in all 46 counties up to $10,000 for college. The expanded program expects to reach about 3,000 students. Public Health: South Carolina has the nation’s second-highest flu activity, while wildlife officials are warning residents to avoid sick or dead birds amid bird flu cases. Gamecocks: Top-ranked South Carolina women routed No. 12 North Carolina 84–39. The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams next season, ending the SEC Championship Game after its Dec. 5 finale. Politics: Democrat Annie Andrews’ Senate victory marked the party’s first South Carolina Senate win since 1998, while Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race. Democrats also broke the GOP’s State House supermajority; close congressional races may head to recounts. Business: Hartsville-based Sonoco named Clemson graduate Ernest Haynes its next CEO, effective Jan. 1, succeeding longtime chief executive R. Howard Coker.

Election Fallout: South Carolina voters split their choices: Democrat Annie Andrews flipped the U.S. Senate seat, Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race, and Democrat Nancy LaCore claimed the 1st District House seat. Democrats also flipped 10 state House seats, ending the GOP supermajority; recounts loom in close races. Gamecocks: No. 1 South Carolina women’s basketball overwhelmed No. 12 North Carolina, 84-39, behind Chloe Kitts’ 17 points and 10 rebounds. Land Conservation: Pickens County’s Alice Smith placed her family’s 146-acre property under a conservation easement, keeping it protected from future development. Jobs and Growth: Buc-ee’s plans 12 new stores through 2028, with Hardeeville expected to follow in 2029; each location typically employs about 250 people. Charleston: A 35-year-old man was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child after police say he left his sleeping 6-year-old daughter outside a Target overnight while holding his place in line for Pokémon cards.

Gamecocks Basketball: Kory Mincy scored 19 points as South Carolina beat Southeast Missouri State 78-68 in Columbia, improving to 2-0. Housing: A partnership between SC Housing and the state behavioral health agency won national recognition for connecting people with serious mental illness to affordable supportive housing. Election Aftermath: Democrat Annie Andrews flipped South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, while Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race. Democrats also broke the GOP’s state House supermajority, and several close congressional and legislative races are headed for recounts. Gamecocks Football: South Carolina sits at No. 20 in the AP poll after its 17-9 win over Texas A&M.

Statehouse Shift: Gov.-elect Alan Wilson is assembling his administration after a close win, while Democrats’ gains cost Republicans their House supermajority and sent 10 GOP lawmakers down to defeat. Two state House races are headed to recounts. Historic Turnout: South Carolina’s Black vote reached nearly 29% more ballots than all non-White voters cast in 2022, helping power Democrat Annie Andrews’ historic U.S. Senate upset and Nancy Lacore’s congressional win. Gamecocks: South Carolina beat Texas A&M 17-9 for its fourth straight victory, strengthening its postseason outlook behind a defense that held the Aggies to nine points. Animal Welfare: SLED says 11 dogs were rescued in Richland County, where a man faces charges of animal fighting and ill-treatment.

Election Shake-up: Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham to flip South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat—the party’s first Senate win in the state since 1998. Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race, while Democrat Nancy Lacore flipped the 1st Congressional District; several close congressional and State House contests are headed to recounts. Animal Welfare: SLED says 11 dogs with suspected fighting injuries were rescued from a Richland County property. Thomas Hoefer faces animal-fighting and ill-treatment charges. Business: Silfab Solar says it is preparing to resume production at its Fort Mill plant after a compliance notice, amid ongoing legal battles. Wildlife: State officials are urging caution as avian flu activity is reported among wild birds. Gamecocks: No. 1 South Carolina women’s basketball meets No. 12 North Carolina in Charlotte on Sunday.

Election Shake-up: South Carolina’s record-turnout midterms produced a historic split: Democrat Annie Andrews flipped the U.S. Senate seat, ending nearly three decades of Republican control, while Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race. Democrats also broke the GOP’s state House supermajority, with split-ticket voting shaping the results. Land and Jobs: A settlement will permanently protect Awendaw’s White Tract after a decades-long dispute. Silfab Solar says it is resuming Fort Mill operations amid legal battles, and VITREUS USA plans a Newberry County plant expected to create 15 jobs. Public Safety and Health: SLED says 11 dogs were rescued from a Richland County property and a man faces animal-fighting and animal-cruelty charges. SCDNR is warning about avian flu in wild birds; the virus was detected in a Clarendon County bald eagle. A driver died in a four-vehicle crash in Lexington County. Columbia: USC named its Leadership and Service Center for former Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin.

Election Results: Democrat Annie Andrews’ upset Senate win and Republican Alan Wilson’s victory in the governor’s race reshaped South Carolina politics. Democrats also broke the GOP’s House supermajority; the 2nd Congressional District race could still face a recount. Clarendon County certified its results Friday, including a tie in the comptroller general vote. Wildlife Alert: SCDNR warns that bird flu is affecting wild birds statewide. Avoid sick or dead birds and keep pets away; officials say the risk to people is low. Conservation: A $17.2 million deal permanently protects Awendaw’s 229-acre White Tract, which is slated to become part of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Charleston Retail: Dillard’s is closing its Citadel Mall store after 34 years, as MUSC redevelops part of the mall into a medical hub.

Election Aftermath: South Carolina delivered a split verdict: Democrat Annie Andrews flipped the U.S. Senate seat, Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race, and Democrats broke the GOP’s state House supermajority. The 2nd Congressional District race remains unresolved, with a recount possible. Public Safety: Greenwood County deputies checked 191 registered sex offenders and found nine violations, prompting arrest warrants. Coastal Resilience: Folly Beach is updating its shoreline plan to address erosion, protect dunes and prepare for storms. College Football: South Carolina State edged Howard 35-28 as Ricorian Brown scored the winning touchdown with 17 seconds left. Schools and Farms: Fifteen South Carolina school districts were recognized for buying locally grown food for cafeterias.

2nd District Recount Watch: Joe Wilson leads Zyon Khalifa 49.8% to 48.8% in South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, just outside the mandatory recount threshold. County results are due to be certified Friday, with state certification next week. Election Shake-Up: Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews flipped South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, ending nearly three decades of Republican control, while Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race. Democrat Nancy Lacore also captured the 1st Congressional District, and Democrats broke the GOP’s state House supermajority. Columbia Infrastructure: Work to address the city’s long-running railroad traffic jams could begin in 2028. Education: Greenville County’s Blue Ridge High School received a state award for using student data to support academic achievement.

South Carolina’s Political Shift: Democrat Annie Andrews won the state’s U.S. Senate seat, ending nearly three decades of Republican control and becoming South Carolina’s first woman senator. Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race, giving voters a split-ticket result. Statehouse and Vote Count: Democrats flipped 10 state House seats, ending the GOP supermajority. Record turnout marked the election, though Berkeley County voters reported machine errors and a provisional-ballot dispute; the 1st and 2nd Congressional District races remained unsettled. National Impact: Democrats’ South Carolina gains helped secure control of both chambers of Congress, setting up divided government and renewed scrutiny of the Trump administration. State Honors: Gov. Henry McMaster ordered Capitol flags lowered Thursday to honor Alexander Sanders Jr., a former College of Charleston president, state lawmaker and appeals court chief judge.

South Carolina’s Historic Senate Flip: Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Trump-backed Darline Graham by about four points, ending Republicans’ 28-year hold on the seat. Andrews says she’ll prioritize fighting Medicaid cuts and lowering health costs, including improving rural access. Her win helped Democrats take control of Congress. State Leadership: Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race over Democrat Jermaine Johnson, and David Stumbo was elected attorney general. Mark Hammond won a seventh term as secretary of state, while Cody Simpson became agriculture commissioner. South Carolina also set a record for votes cast in a governor’s race. Georgetown County: Voters approved a 1% local option sales tax. State law directs 71% of the revenue to property tax credits and 29% to county and municipal services. Game-Day Changes: USC will open all Williams-Brice Stadium gates two hours before Saturday’s game against Texas A&M, with $5 beers and half-price concessions during the extra hour to help ease entry lines.

South Carolina Senate: Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham in a historic upset, flipping a seat Republicans had held for decades and helping Democrats take control of the Senate. State Results: Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race, and Secretary of State Mark Hammond secured reelection. Voters set a record for total ballots cast in a South Carolina gubernatorial election. Local Government: Tim Bostic, Meg Jennings, Micheal Powell and Katelyn Grizzle won Ware Shoals Town Council seats. Education: The Augustine Literacy Project of the Upstate is seeking partnerships with Greenwood-area schools and youth groups to support young readers.

Record Turnout: By 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, more than 1.79 million South Carolinians had voted—52.3% of registered voters and already a record for a gubernatorial election, topping the 2018 mark with hours of voting still to go. Senate Showdown: Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews faced off in an unexpectedly tight race for South Carolina’s Senate seat. Graham was appointed after her brother, Lindsey Graham, died in July; polls had put the contest in toss-up territory, drawing two visits from President Trump. Student Voter Drive: South Carolina State and Claflin students marched together to Orangeburg’s polling site, urging fellow students to vote and honoring the history of the Orangeburg Massacre. Richland County Jobs: Brose Sitech plans to invest $29.5 million in a Blythewood car-seat factory, creating 330 jobs and supplying Scout Motors’ nearby plant. Production is expected to begin in 2027.

Election Day: More than 1.04 million South Carolinians cast early ballots, a state record. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with early-vote results expected shortly after closing. Senate Race: Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews are in a surprisingly tight contest to fill the seat left vacant by Lindsey Graham’s death. The winner will be the first woman elected to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. Governor’s Race: A Rasmussen poll puts Republican Alan Wilson ahead of Democrat Jermaine Johnson, 51% to 43%, as voters also decide congressional and local races. Gamecocks: No. 1 South Carolina opened its women’s basketball season with a 101-93 win over No. 20 Maryland in Paris, holding off a second-half rally.