MORNING HEADLINES  |  Ten candidates vying for the GOP nomination for South Carolina’s first congressional district answered questions at a Summerville forum Thursday night. 

The candidates at Thursday night’s forum included Dan Brown, Dorchester County councilman Jay Byars, Charleston County councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt, Beaufort County councilman Logan Cunningham, Tyler Dykes, Charleston-area physician Sam McCown, retired Lt. Col. Alex Pelbath, Cindy Riley, former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford and S.C. Rep. Mark Smith.

Candidates introduced themselves, outlined priorities and pointed to their experience in government, business or the military. Several also focused on issues impacting the Lowcountry, especially rapid growth, infrastructure challenges and the rising cost of living. 

The questions given by moderators covered topics like border security, affordability, national security and foreign policy, economy and infrastructure and growth.

In a straw poll following the forum, Smith led with 34% of the votes.

“My response was just very brief: experience, relationships and results,” Smith said. “Exactly what I’ve been doing in Columbia is what I will do when you send me to Washington, D.C.”

The Dorchester and Berkeley County Republican parties held the event with statements and a question-and-answer portion. The seat is currently held by Republican Nancy Mace, who is running for governor instead this year. 

Eight Democrats are seeking the nomination for the first district seat, including Robert Beers, Francina Dantzler,  U.S. Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford, Max Diaz, Ben Frasier, Matthew Fulmer, retired Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore and longtime community advocate Mayra Rivera-Vazquez.  Primaries across the state are set for June 9.  

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Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find. 

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In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper

CP OPINION: Somebody needs to run against Cogswell. “There’s a really important election in Charleston in just 18 months. But so far, there’s no buzz about anybody serious who wants to take on freshman Mayor William ‘Backroom Billy’ Cogswell.”

CP COVER STORY: Hey Charleston, give Columbia a little love, respect. There’s an odd, inherited snootiness that Charlestonians have about Columbia, South Carolina’s capital city. Even the thousands of comeyahs who’ve been here only for a short time seem to quickly adopt this prejudice. And that’s unfortunate.

CP NEWS: Coroner says Charleston County’s list of unclaimed people grows. A 68-year-old West Ashley woman who died at her home earlier this year while estranged from her family has joined a growing list of 119 people whose unclaimed cremated remains are in the custody of the Charleston County Coroner’s Office.

CP NEWS: S.C. hemp industry’s future may hinge on coming House vote. South Carolina’s hemp industry could radically change next week if a vote in the S.C. House of Representatives goes against the industry, two area businessmen believe.

CP FOOD: A new age of pizza in Charleston. Charleston is no stranger to change, and it seems like everywhere you look there’s a new restaurant. While the city isn’t lacking when it comes to takeaway pizza, the middle market of pizza seems to be the next big thing in the Holy City.

CP ARTS: At Aiken-Rhett, eight artists converge in a house of blue. The topic of indigo crops up in the Charleston arts scene as reliably in the rotation of local exhibitions as if it were the very plant that famously produces the blue hue.

In recent headlines

Isle of Palms leaders say ‘no thanks’ to experimental dune project, citing cost and timing. A proposal for building an artificial sand dune to bolster the eroding shores was shot down on April 14 by a faction of city leaders skeptical about costs and timing.

Former North Charleston councilman gets probation for role in federal corruption probe. Former North Charleston City Councilman Sandino Moses will spend two years on probation for his involvement in the federal corruption scheme centered on the city, making him the first elected official to face consequences in the case.

Man who died by suicide in Charleston jail was ‘superficially assessed,’ lawsuit says. A new lawsuit against the county jail and its medical provider criticizes staff members for not taking steps to prevent the suicide of a man who self-reported worsening symptoms of depression.

S.C. Senate passes bill expanding monument protections. The South Carolina Senate has approved a proposal to protect nearly every historic statue, monument, and building name from changes or removal.

Interstate 26 improvement project looks for public input. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is proposing a statewide project to target traffic.

Historic S.C. chapel standing strong thanks to help from federal, local officials. The centuries-old Pompion Hill Chapel in Berkeley County is threatened by erosion. A partnership between local and federal officials helps alleviate the risk.

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