MORNING NEWSBREAK | A Winthrop Poll released this morning shows likely voters in the Feb. 24 GOP presidential preference primary will pick former President Donald Trump over former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley by a 2-1 margin.
With 65% of likely voters saying they’ll back Trump, he has a 36% lead over Haley, according to the poll of more than 1,700 voters. But among likely independent voters, the split is almost even with 42.6% supporting Trump and 42.3% backing Haley. Trump maintains a stronghold among Republican voters with 72%.
In South Carolina, anyone who is registered and didn’t vote in the Feb. 3 Democratic primary can vote in the GOP one. That’s just over 3 million voters, indicating that disaffected Democrats and independents could influence the results if they turn out for the GOP’s “first in the South” presidential primary. Early voting is open through Feb. 22.
According to Winthrop Poll Director Scott Huffmon, “More than half of Haley’s current 29% of supporters were with her earlier on, which tracks with our previous polling. As expected, the overwhelming majority of Trump’s support was with him from the beginning.”
Huffmon added that Haley had gained support from former presidential contender and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, despite Scott’s endorsement of Trump. She also plucked backing from supporters of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Haley showed a surprising pull for these voters who were apparently looking for a Trump alternative,” Huffmon said. “That said, the sheer mathematics of winning over more of DeSantis’ declining number of supporters could do little to cut into Trump’s lead.”
In other recent headlines:
CP NEWS: Cogswell’s chief of staff paid more than the mayor. Elizabeth Dieck, chief of staff for new Charleston Mayor William Cogswell, earns an annual salary of $250,000, according to financial reports acquired by the Charleston City Paper. The mayor earns about $27,000 less per year.
CP NEWS: Maserati takes a pass at The Pass sandwich shop. Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, a two-car collision led to one of the vehicles crashing into The Pass, a sandwich shop located at the intersection of Spring and St. Philip streets in downtown Charleston.
CP NEWS: Lowcountry Local First to host 11th annual Good Business Summit. The one-day event, presented by South Carolina Federal Credit Union, takes place at the Charleston Music Hall from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Feb. 22.
$7.5M grant to ease flooding heads to Charleston council. The Charleston City Council is reviewing a grant application to upsize pipes and reduce flooding in the Eastside neighborhood of the downtown peninsula. Meanwhile, the city of Charleston has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement a three-year study that will address flooding issues in the area in hopes to prevent further problems in the future.
Huggins discusses plans for Charleston’s schools. Charleston County School District’s new superintendent, Anita Huggins, sat down with WCBD-TV to discuss her plans for the district in her first one-on-one interview since taking the position.
North Charleston’s approach to curb gun violence up in the air. A year ago, the city of North Charleston used more than a million taxpayer dollars into a raft of nonprofits in hopes of quelling a surge of shootings in the area. But after doling out the cash, officials kept few tabs on where the money went or what was accomplished.
Charleston bike share program sees increase in 2023. LIME, who is known for its sharable bikes delivered an update to the City of Charleston’s Traffic and Transportation Committee, reporting an increase in bike riders across downtown Charleston in its bike share program.
Folly Beach short-term rental ordinance to have first reading. The city of Folly Beach revisited its short-term rental ordinance, with its first reading before the council during Tuesday’s meeting. Residents are divided about the ordinance, according to WCSC-TV.
Charleston Co. parks face setbacks with partnership. A public-private partnership between the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission and Sea Fox Boat Co. that would result in a 46-acre park, developed without use of taxpayer funds, is on the verge of fizzling out due to zoning issues.
Planned tax referendum for Mark Clark could include Mount Pleasant projects. A proposed tax referendum that’s fundamental to funding the Mark Clark Extension on James and Johns islands includes other projects including an overpass on U.S. Highway 17, improvements to flood-prone Long Point Road and $158 million for the town’s planned network of bike and pedestrian paths.
Ronald McDonald House reports cart program numbers for 2023. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston reported their hospitality cart programs served over 50,000 people in 2023.
Restaurant on Charleston peninsula opens raw bar. Charleston restaurant Fleet Landing has unveiled its new raw bar as part of a year-long celebration for its 20th anniversary this November.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No newspaper subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.