AGP Executive Report

U.S. Senate & Foreign Policy: The U.S. Senate passed sweeping Russia sanctions legislation championed by late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with the bill now headed to the House; it targets Russia’s war economy and expands pressure that could include steep tariff authority tied to continued Russian oil and gas purchases. South Carolina Elections: South Carolina’s special Republican U.S. Senate primary is in its final stretch after early voting closed, with more than 41,000 ballots cast in the first two days; polls reopen Tuesday, Aug. 11, as 10 GOP candidates compete to face Democrat Annie Andrews. Campaign Trail: Rep. Ralph Norman campaigned in North Augusta ahead of the Aug. 11 vote, framing the race around “seriousness” and national stakes. Local Governance: Chapin Town Council held a special-called meeting over who controls the municipal attorney, with council pushing for clearer authority and independent legal representation. Community & Culture: Lexington County NAACP held its Freedom Fund Awards Gala in West Columbia, featuring keynote Nina Turner. Public Safety & Infrastructure: SCDOT rolled out 700-plus pedestrian safety upgrades across the Charleston tri-county area. Sports: South Carolina women’s basketball confirmed point guard Maddy McDaniel is withdrawing and will not return, reshaping the Gamecocks’ roster.

SC Senate special primary: With early voting ending and the Aug. 11 GOP special primary to replace the late Lindsey Graham set, three candidates—Mark Sanford, Ralph Norman, and Russell Fry—made their final Upstate pitches at a Greenville forum, centering their plans on advancing President Trump’s agenda and conservative priorities, with a runoff looking likely given the crowded field. Election logistics: A separate explainer lays out who can vote, when polls open (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), and lists the candidates on the ballot for the special Senate primary. Public education policy: South Carolina’s new law banning grade floors in public schools and new state vaccine requirements for students are highlighted as major changes for the 2026-27 school year. State tax holiday: South Carolina’s annual Tax Free Weekend is underway Aug. 7-9, covering school supplies, clothing/footwear, computers/technology, and select bed-and-bath items. Gun policy court win: A federal judge in Texas struck down NFA registration/transfer requirements for suppressors and short-barreled rifles after the tax was eliminated, with West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey calling it a major win for gun owners. Medicaid fraud push: SC AG Alan Wilson joined a coalition urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act to let states pursue recipient fraud, not just provider fraud. Local business & jobs: Greenville leaders announced South Carolina’s first JW Marriott hotel at the Bowater building, a 335-room project aimed at boosting downtown convention traffic.

SC Senate primary fight: The South Carolina Supreme Court kept Danny Ford II on the special U.S. Senate ballot, warning that removing him during early voting would confuse voters, even as the merits of the SCGOP rule dispute remain pending. ACLU vs. SCGOP on primaries: The ACLU of South Carolina asked to intervene in a lawsuit seeking to close Republican primaries to registered Republicans only, arguing taxpayer-funded elections shouldn’t let parties block independents. Data privacy breach: A class-action firm says a breach tied to Aesto LLC’s handling of Everside Health data may have exposed South Carolina residents’ personal and medical information. Local politics & growth: The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments won a national award for its regional growth planning effort aimed at managing development through 2045. Public safety & community: Neighbors in Horry County are pressing for action after an alligator killed a dog and residents say their HOA won’t remove the animal. Economy & daily life: Tax Free Weekend runs Aug. 7-9, and GasBuddy reports Beaufort regular gas at $3.48 and Greenville midgrade at $3.64 in the week ending Aug. 1.

SC Senate Ballot Fight: The S.C. Supreme Court rejected the SC GOP’s last-ditch bid to remove U.S. Senate candidate Danny Lee Ford II from the Republican special primary ballot, keeping him in the Aug. 11 race as early voting wrapped. Elections: Early voting is underway statewide for the GOP special primary to replace late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with voters choosing who advances to the Nov. 3 general election. Public Safety Tech Debate: South Carolina sheriffs defended license plate reader use as a crime-fighting tool, while critics keep pressing privacy and misuse concerns. Local Government/911: Charleston County is rolling out a $2.4M expansion of its consolidated emergency communications center, adding console capacity and reshaping the operations room. Education: South Carolina State University dedicated its renamed James E. Clyburn Engineering and Computer Science Complex, and the new school year began with freshmen and transfer move-ins. Business/Insurance: HUB’s VIU is launching an insurance agency for credit union members across the Carolinas and Georgia.

SC Senate primary: Early voting is underway statewide in the special GOP U.S. Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham, with Beaufort County reporting steady turnout and election officials scrambling to re-test machines after Danny Ford II was added by court order. Ballot fight: The South Carolina Supreme Court kept Ford on the Aug. 11 ballot, warning that removing him mid-early-voting would cause “voter confusion” and administrative disarray. Data center showdown: Upstate residents packed a Public Service Commission hearing over a proposed $3B Valara data center in Spartanburg County, arguing the project should face additional state review because of a natural gas power plant. Education policy: South Carolina’s annual sales tax holiday runs Aug. 7-9, and the state will expand publicly funded school vouchers for 2026-2027 after a budget proviso aimed at limiting access failed. Public health: DPH declared sustained West Nile virus activity in the Pee Dee and urged residents to use repellents, cover up, and reduce standing water. Crime & courts: A judge sentenced Darrell Scott Brooks to life in prison for kidnapping and attacking a Clemson student in 2024, while a federal judge dismissed Alex Murdaugh’s jury tampering suit against a former court clerk.

Hemp & Medicaid Push: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley joined a 34-state coalition urging Congress to keep the November 2025 federal hemp definition in place, warning reopening the loophole could boost youth access to intoxicating hemp products. Elections Overhaul: South Carolina House lawmakers approved HB 958, tightening early voting in primaries/special elections and letting officials use federal databases to screen voter rolls—while critics warn it cuts due process for voters flagged as deceased. GOP Senate Primary: Early voting is underway for the Aug. 11 special Republican U.S. Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham, with rules barring anyone who voted in the June Democratic primary. Workforce & Utilities: The Technical College of the Lowcountry won a $5.9M federal grant to finish a regional workforce training center, and Duke Energy backed welding training at Greenville Tech. Public Safety: Highway Patrol reminded drivers to stop for school buses with flashing lights and stop arms as classes resume. Crime & Courts: A Rock Hill man, Shawn Bisnauth, was sentenced to 25 years for running a prison-based gun trafficking scheme supplying Mexican cartels.

South Carolina Senate ballot fight: A Richland County judge ordered Danny Ford II back on the GOP special U.S. Senate primary ballot, saying the party’s eligibility rule was applied inconsistently and that “statewide primary” was undefined; the SCGOP is now asking the state Supreme Court to keep him off the ballot ahead of early voting. Voting logistics: Early voting for the Aug. 11 special Republican primary runs Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 5-7, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., with photo ID required; the winner will replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Local crime and courts: Clarendon County authorities arrested three people in the June Tara Lane homicide of Homero “Meadow” Zunun Gonzalez, charging murder, conspiracy, and burglary. Public safety on campus: SC State rolled out new security measures for move-in, including electronic ID checks at gates and tighter access rules. Health and addiction: Mount Pleasant proclaimed August as Overdose Awareness Month, highlighting free local resources and stigma-reduction efforts. Tech and law enforcement: South Carolina AGs joined a coalition urging OpenAI to preserve records tied to an AI security incident involving OpenAI models and Hugging Face.

South Carolina Senate fight: A Richland County judge ordered the S.C. GOP to certify Danny Lee Ford II for the Aug. 11 special Republican primary to replace late Sen. Lindsey Graham, after ruling the party’s new “two-out-of-three” candidate rule was “confusing” and overly ambiguous—putting Ford back on ballots for early voting starting Aug. 5. GOP primary spotlight: In the Aug. 3 debate for Graham’s seat, five candidates centered their pitches on President Trump’s agenda, with Iran, the economy, immigration and federal spending driving the clash. Darline Graham’s agenda: Darline Graham is leaning into a break with her brother’s Senate tradition by backing ending the filibuster to speed Trump priorities through Congress. Public safety—fraud crackdown: SLED charged a third suspect in a major insurance fraud case, adding Matthew Jo Von Coaxum to earlier arrests tied to false insurance claims. Local government: Simpsonville kicked off its downtown project by removing concrete islands on Main Street as part of a traffic realignment and streetscape improvements. Medicaid fraud push: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley joined a coalition letter—including South Carolina’s AG—urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act.

SC GOP Senate primary: Polling ahead of Aug. 11 shows a runoff is likely, with no candidate near 50% in surveys of the crowded field to replace the late Lindsey Graham. SC politics on the debate stage: In Monday’s GOP debate, Sen. Darline Graham backed eliminating the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act and criticized August recess plans. Democratic response: Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee, attacked the GOP field as “extreme” and vowed to focus on lowering costs and protecting health care. Ballot fight: Decertified candidate Danny Ford II asked a judge to keep his name on special GOP primary ballots, arguing practical inclusion after absentee and overseas ballots already went out. AI + legal pressure: Fifteen state attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, demanded OpenAI preserve records tied to a Hugging Face hack after an alleged containment escape. Public safety/justice: SC AG Alan Wilson announced charges against a Turbeville man for child sexual abuse material offenses. Education: Charleston County School District is among districts named in a lawsuit targeting social media platforms over alleged harm to children.

Resilience & Housing: The South Carolina Office of Resilience and Google expanded a $1 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity to weatherize and harden homes for storm-impacted, resource-constrained families, including insulation, Energy Star appliances, HVAC testing, and double-pane windows. U.S. Senate GOP primary: Sen. Darline Graham launched her campaign debut in Lexington, pitching Trump’s agenda and affordability as she seeks Lindsey Graham’s seat in the Aug. 11 special primary; a Monday debate will feature Graham, Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, Mark Lynch, and Mark Sanford. Election rules & lawsuits: A potential ballot-access fight is brewing as Danny Ford II sues the SC GOP after being disqualified under a new party rule requiring votes in recent GOP primaries; a judge issued a temporary restraining order and a Monday hearing is set. Local elections: York County school board filing opens Aug. 3 for 14 nonpartisan seats across four districts, with no filing fee and a Nov. 3 general election for qualified candidates. Public safety: SLED charged a Beaufort County woman in a lottery fraud case involving counterfeit game tickets; separately, Sumter County deputies are investigating a partially burned body found in a wooded area. Campus security: South Carolina State University will require electronic ID verification at gates starting Monday, with new entry rules for faculty/staff, students, and visitors.

SC Politics & Elections: Darline Graham Nordone made her first full Senate campaign speech in Lexington, pitching herself as the best way to carry Lindsey Graham’s legacy and push President Trump’s agenda in the Aug. 11 special GOP primary. GOP Intrigue: A CNN report says some South Carolina Republicans are privately uneasy about Trump’s choice, arguing it may be a “once-in-a-generation” seat but also a risky bet on a political newcomer. Democratic Calendar: The DNC’s rules panel recommended South Carolina host the first Democratic presidential primary in 2028 on Jan. 22, with other early states following in February. State Government & Courts: The South Carolina Supreme Court suspended Georgetown Municipal Court Chief Judge Richard Dana Todd Jr. after SLED arrested him on an unlawful neglect of a child charge. Local Government: York County Council took no action after an hours-long executive session tied to a Silfab Solar zoning ruling, with a reconsideration hearing set for Aug. 26. Commerce & Infrastructure: SC Commerce announced more than $7.7 million in community development grants for sewer, drainage, and wastewater projects across eight communities. Public Safety: Funeral services were announced for Lexington County Master Deputy Jillian Olson, who died after underwater dive team training at Lake Murray.

South Carolina Senate Special Primary: Nine Republicans hit the trail in Lexington ahead of the Aug. 11 GOP primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with Darline Graham making her first campaign appearance and framing the race around Trump’s agenda and family-focused priorities. Election Logistics: Greenwood County voters are being told to double-check polling locations for the special Republican primary, after multiple precincts were moved off school sites due to students being in class. Federal Election Scrutiny: The FBI has requested internet protocol data tied to online voter registrations in South Carolina as federal investigations into voter rolls expand. Historic Preservation Fight: South Carolina preservation groups are warning that proposed federal changes to the Section 106 historic review process could reduce local input and raise the risk to historic sites. Public Health: A national measles surge has pushed U.S. case totals past all of 2025, with South Carolina’s earlier outbreak cited as a recent example of how hard it is to contain the disease. Energy & Tech: The U.S. Energy Department is moving ahead with an AI data center plan at a Kentucky uranium site, a sign of how federal policy is reshaping rural development.

U.S. Senate Special Primary: Sen. Darline Graham made her political debut in Lexington, pitching President Trump’s agenda as she seeks to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, in the Aug. 11 GOP primary. Campaign Trail: Rep. Russell Fry held a meet-and-greet in Aiken laying out his “deliver results” message ahead of the same special election. GOP Field & Rules: A Lexington event drew 9 Republican candidates for stump speeches, with most emphasizing immigration enforcement and spending restraint; the race remains tightly packed. Democrats on Veterans: In Beaufort, Democratic candidates Nancy Lacore and Ann Shippy focused on veterans’ and military families’ issues, including health care, housing, and a proposed data-center moratorium. Civic & Community Watch: Main Street Laurens lost its accredited Main Street status after a review found governance and documentation failures, including incomplete records and AI-generated submissions not properly edited. Public Safety: Lexington County reported a deputy’s death during Lake Murray dive team training; the coroner is investigating.

SC Senate special primary: With Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death forcing a fast-track replacement race, South Carolina Republicans set the Aug. 11 special GOP primary and early voting rules, while Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to finish the term—now testing whether Trump’s backing can unify the field or spark backlash. GOP backlash to Trump’s pick: Reports say conservative leaders and grassroots activists are resisting Darline Graham’s candidacy, framing it as a “coronation” and arguing voters should choose in a truly open contest. Campaign trail: The SCGOP held a U.S. Senate stump stop in Lexington, giving voters a direct look at the candidates. Election administration proposals: Separate state-level election changes are in the news, including measures that would expand voter/organ donor registration with hunting or fishing licenses and adjust election and campaign finance rules. Public safety & local government: Bluffton police say Flock license-plate cameras were unplugged or damaged, and Charleston County is moving ahead with a safety upgrade for a dangerous Municipal Golf Course crossing. Environment & preservation: A Charleston-focused debate is heating up over proposed weakening of Section 106 historic preservation protections, while a Septic Think Tank workshop highlighted local septic management solutions statewide.

U.S. Senate Primary: South Carolina Republicans are lining up a fast, high-stakes replacement fight after Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, with a televised Aug. 3 debate in Columbia featuring five top-polling candidates (Darline Graham, Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, Mark Lynch, Mark Sanford) and a likely runoff if no one clears 50% on Aug. 11. Ballot Fight: Farmer Danny Ford II is suing SCGOP after being ruled ineligible under a new voting-history rule; a judge temporarily kept him on the ballot while the case heads to a hearing Aug. 3. Local Government Power: Chapin’s special called meeting reignited a tug-of-war over who controls key town functions, including the town attorney and council authority. Statehouse Oversight: SLED is investigating Rep. Marvin Pendarvis after a lawsuit alleges he settled a former client’s case without permission. Business & Jobs: Silfab Solar will temporarily idle its Fort Mill plant Aug. 5-11 due to supply delays and routine maintenance. Public Safety: A rare voter-qualification challenge in Beaufort County ruled against local critic Skip Hoagland, focusing on domicile rules. Community Watch: Mount Pleasant officials plan a Monday review of animal cruelty and neglect laws after a recent case sparked public outcry.

Gun Rights in Churches: The DOJ sent a warning to Montgomery County, Maryland, over a law restricting firearms in houses of worship, arguing it conflicts with the Second Amendment. South Carolina Gun/Politics Backdrop: The broader national fight over guns and voting continues as federal investigators seek online voter registration IP addresses in South Carolina. Public Safety Tragedy: Lexington County dive team Master Deputy Jillian Olson, 29, died during underwater training on Lake Murray; DNR and SLED are investigating. Courtroom Fight in Murdaugh Retrial: Alex Murdaugh’s defense is pushing for independent DNA testing of reserve samples, arguing SLED testing could consume evidence before an outside lab can review it. State GOP Ballot Fight: Danny Ford II sued the SC GOP and Election Commission after being disqualified from the special Senate primary under a new party rule. Local Government Scam Fallout: Surfside Beach sent $545,598 into a fraud scheme after a fake email redirected payment—town officials say they didn’t catch it for 45 days. Education/Religion Growth: USC, CofC, and The Citadel are seeing rising Catholic participation among students. Historic Black South Carolina: A new SC African American history calendar highlights figures like Gideon Gibson and Andrew Ferguson.