By Jack O’Toole, Statehouse bureau | After days of speculation, President Donald Trump made it official Thursday: He’ll be in Clemson Oct. 21 to rally for U.S. Sen. Darline Graham and other Republican candidates less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Graham, who was appointed in July to complete the term of her late brother Lindsey Graham, is locked in an unexpectedly close race with Lowcountry pediatrician Annie Andrews, a Democrat.
The event will mark the second time Trump has traveled to the state in support of Graham. In August, he visited Myrtle Beach during her tight runoff contest with 5th District U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman.
The Upstate visit also follows a statewide tele-rally that Trump conducted Thursday night with several high-profile GOP hopefuls, including Graham, gubernatorial candidate Alan Wilson and 1st Congressional District contender Jenny Honeycutt, who’s caught in a tight race of her own with retired Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore.
During the call, Trump left no doubt about what these midterms — which some analysts predict could turn into a “blue wave” due to affordability concerns and the president’s poor poll numbers — mean to him and his party.
“Essentially,” he said, “I am on the ballot.”
In other recent news
2026: S.C.-1: Sparks fly in final debate for Charleston’s seat in Congress over 2nd Amendment, data centers. A second and chippier debate between Republican Jenny Honeycutt and Democratic nominee Nancy Lacore saw the candidates for S.C.’s 1st Congressional District disagree over gun control in the wake of an Oregon school shooting that left three children and a teacher dead.
- Timmons, McClain square off in 4th District congressional race
- Stumbo, Hricik outline their agendas for attorney general’s office
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- Democrats take on Republicans in every S.C. House district
U.S. SENATE: Andrews calls on Graham to recuse on China votes due to husband’s employment. Democrat Annie Andrews said on Wednesday that appointed incumbent GOP Sen. Darline Graham should recuse herself from all votes related to China because her husband works for companies that import Chinese products — a move Graham’s campaign called “desperate.”
- Graham, Andrews trade barbs in statewide debate
- Graham ‘proud’ of sanctions bill — but won’t challenge Trump’s diesel deal with Russia
- Warnock stumps for Andrews amid 2028 presidential speculation
Three men accused by Mace arrested in connection with alleged sex assault. The three men, including Mace’s ex-fiancé, face charges arising from the alleged sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman in 2018. Mace publicly called the men “predators” in a stunning speech on the U.S. House floor last year.
More S.C. schools earn excellent ratings. Results from the 2026 South Carolina School Report Card highlight a few surges, including the nearly 19% increased of South Carolina schools earning an overall rating of excellent: the number increased from 270 to 320.
- McMaster declines to remove Charleston school board member
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S.C. Arts Commission board appoints new agency interim executive director. The South Carolina Arts Commission announced its third leadership change of the month at its Oct. 15 board meeting; the commission’s current interim executive director will transfer to a deputy director role.
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