South-Carolina

Haley seeks game-changing win in South Carolina despite uphill climb

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2024

Haley seeks game-changing win in South Carolina despite uphill climb

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is working to muster momentum in the weeks ahead of the South Carolina Republican primary, which could prove to be a moment of reckoning for her presidential hopes.

Polling shows Haley trailing former President Trump in her home state, with The Hill-Decision Desk HQ average showing Trump up by more than 30 points in the state.

Despite the uphill climb, Haley’s allies say there is still enough time for her to close the gap with the former president in South Carolina, and at least one recent poll has shown her gaining support in the Palmetto State.

A poll released this week by American Promise and the Tyson Group showed Haley reaching 31 percent support, the first time she has received more than 30 percent in a South Carolina poll so far.

However, a Monmouth University-Washington Post poll released Thursday showed Trump leading with 58 percent support, up from 46 percent in September. Haley’s support also grew from 18 percent in September to 32 percent.

“Nikki Haley’s ability to come from behind is record-breaking in South Carolina,” said Dave Wilson, a South Carolina-based GOP strategist, referring to Haley’s past electoral wins in the state. “Is she going to be able to do it this time? Probably not because President Trump has such a high rating in almost every poll.”

On Monday, the Trump campaign rolled out a memo predicting a loss for Haley in her home state, calling the prospect “a humiliation.”

“South Carolina is different than New Hampshire and, as such, poses serious questions about the viability of the Haley campaign,” wrote senior Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita. “First, there is no tradition of cross-over voting in South Carolina, and Democrats have their Primary on February 3rd as part of the reshaped map and timing schedule for national Democrats. Anyone who votes in the February 3rd Democrat primary cannot vote in the GOP primary on February 24th, so Nikki’s losing strategy of counting on Democrats to pollute the Primary won’t work.”

Haley’s campaign responded with their own memo, asking, “Why is Donald Trump so obsessed with us?” with a “Mean Girls” meme attached.

Several factors are playing into Trump’s lead, including his national popularity among Republican primary voters as well as his status as the party’s de facto incumbent. But some South Carolina-specific explanations also explain why the former president is dominating. One of those factors is the demographic changes in South Carolina that have taken place since Haley left the governor’s mansion in 2017.

Census data shows that the Palmetto State had a 1.7 percent population growth rate in 2023 — the highest of any state — and gained more than 90,000 new residents. According to The Associated Press, 90 percent of South Carolina’s new population came from people moving from another U.S. state.

“When you have that level of people moving in, they’re bringing a different level of politics, themselves, to the table,” Wilson said.

“We went back through in 2020, and we were able to identify based upon voting habits,” he continued. “We were able to identify Trump voters, and as a matter of fact, in some key Senate races in the state Senate, we were able to identify thousands of people who were new to the election process, new to the Republican Party because of Donald Trump.”

“Those folks have been part of what’s been the evolution of the Republican Party as it is right now,” he said. “It’s the party of Trump, and that is a very difficult thing for Nikki Haley to overcome at this moment.”

Still, Haley’s supporters argue that Trump is on a weaker footing as the front-runner in the GOP primary.

“If Joe Biden, the incumbent president was only receiving 55 percent of the vote or less in his room, then all of us would be saying how the race is ready to move on and how dire of chances he has in November,” said Alex Stroman, a South Carolina-based Republican strategist.

Stroman also noted that Trump’s recent attacks on Haley continuing to remain in the race could stand to hurt him with voters concerned about issues such as crime, immigration and the economy.

“Two states have voted. Two of the smallest states in the country have voted, and he can’t even have a blowout win in either of those places,” Stroman said. “If he were truly confident about his standing in the party, he would be going around having speeches that talked about his vision for the country. But instead, he’s trying to punch at Nikki Haley and trying to rig the game so that she’s forced out of the race.”

Haley and her allies have also touted polling that shows her to be a formidable general election candidate against President Biden. A Quinnipiac poll released this week shows Haley beating Biden 47 to 42 percent support in a head-to-head match-up. However, Biden defeated Haley by 7 points in a five-person race including third-party candidates.

While Trump in many ways has shifted his focus to the national general election, Haley has remained laser-focused on closing the gap with the former president in her home state.

On Thursday, Haley’s campaign rolled out a new ad campaign titled “It’s a Great Day in South Carolina,” which is aimed at touting her record as governor and “to combat Donald Trump’s lies.” And on Thursday, Haley’s campaign launched a series of ads titled “Grumpy Old Men” to target Trump and Biden on their age.

Strategists say that for Haley to make headway in closing the gap with Trump, she needs to focus on her foreign policy strengths as former U.N. ambassador while tying them to a top issue for South Carolina Republican primary voters: immigration.

The Monmouth University-Washington Post poll showed 62 percent of South Carolina primary voters saying they trust Trump more on immigration, while 22 percent said they trusted Haley more.

“That is that blend of domestic and international issues that somebody has got to start addressing,” Wilson said. “And I think if Nikki Haley started addressing it from that standpoint, foreign policy takes on a whole bigger issue in towns like Greenville and Charleston and Florence and Columbia and Greer and Anderson and Myrtle Beach.”

“If she’s going to gain any additional traction and close that gap, she’s going to have start tying it back to what’s going on in peoples’ own backyards and how her experience will make a difference,” he continued.

Haley responded to skepticism about the durability of her campaign during an interview with “CBS Mornings” on Tuesday, saying her campaign is building momentum state by state.

“In New Hampshire, I moved 25 points in three weeks,” Haley told the network. “We are anywhere and everywhere in South Carolina.”

“My goal has always been to keep building,” she continued. “Now our goal in South Carolina, come in even stronger. That’s what we’re going to focus on doing.”

While there are questions about the future of her donors, Haley is in a strong position financially for now. Haley’s campaign said it raised $17 million last quarter and started 2024 with $14 million cash on hand. Her campaign has also touted recent fundraising hauls in the days following the New Hampshire primary.

“Money, money, money,” Wilson said. “If she doesn’t have dollars flowing into the campaign, she’s going to run out of gas.”

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South-Carolina

A Stronger Rail Network Is a Win for South Carolina’s Economy – FITSNews

Published

41 minutes ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

A Stronger Rail Network Is a Win for South Carolina’s Economy – FITSNews

“The combined rail system would offer the reliability our business community has been asking for…”

by NATHAN BALLENTINE

***

For as long as I’ve served in the South Carolina House, I’ve believed that strong infrastructure is the backbone of a strong economy. Whether talking about roads, bridges, broadband, or freight mobility, our ability to efficiently move people and goods determines how competitive our state will be in the decades ahead. South Carolina continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the country, and with that growth comes a responsibility to ensure our logistics network can meet the demands of modern commerce.

That is why the proposed merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) deserves thoughtful consideration, not just at the national level, but here at home. South Carolina’s economic success is directly tied to reliable freight transportation. From advanced manufacturing in the Upstate, to the distribution and warehousing centers in the Midlands, to the countless businesses that depend on steady supply chains, every region of our state relies on a freight system that works smoothly and predictably.

When freight rail is fragmented across multiple networks, bottlenecks and delays become far more common. Businesses, especially those operating with tight production schedules and narrow delivery windows, feel the impacts immediately. A delayed railcar can throw off inventory planning, disrupt operations, and create ripple effects that stretch across an entire supply chain. These unpredictable slowdowns can be enormously costly for the companies that keep South Carolina’s economy moving.

***

The Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger aims to address many of these longstanding challenges. By creating a unified network connecting more than 50,000 miles of track and linking 43 states with over 100 ports nationwide, the combined rail system would offer something our business community has been asking for: reliability. Studies indicate the merger could generate approximately $1 billion in annual cost savings and improve freight-car velocity by around 10 percent. These aren’t abstract figures, they reflect tangible improvements that would strengthen operations for employers, distributors, retailers, and consumers alike.

***

“Economic development teams would also have an even stronger pitch when attracting new employers to South Carolina…”

***

A more dependable rail network means companies can plan with greater precision, suppliers can manage logistics with fewer surprises, and transportation partners can commit to schedules with increased confidence. Economic development teams would also have an even stronger pitch when attracting new employers to South Carolina: not just a skilled workforce and business-friendly climate, but a transportation network capable of supporting long-term growth.

Improved rail performance also benefits South Carolina’s infrastructure more broadly. Rail is one of the most efficient ways to move goods long distances. Every shipment that travels by rail instead of truck reduces congestion on our highways, lowers fuel costs, and decreases wear and tear on roads that taxpayers ultimately fund. Better rail capacity complements, rather than replaces, our ongoing efforts to invest in roads and bridges across the state. It allows us to stretch transportation dollars further and focus on the improvements most needed in fast-growing communities.

Another important factor is competitiveness. States across the Southeast are aggressively investing in logistics infrastructure to position themselves as national leaders in manufacturing and distribution. If South Carolina wants to stay ahead, and continue attracting companies that create stable, high-quality jobs, we must support improvements that strengthen the reliability and efficiency of our freight network. The Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger presents an opportunity to do just that.

***

RELATED | SOURCES: S.C. LAWMAKERS THREATEN SUPREME COURT

***

As someone who has spent nearly two decades advocating for responsible, forward-looking growth in our state, I believe that modernizing our freight system is not just a transportation issue, it is an economic necessity. Ensuring that goods can move quickly, safely, and predictably is fundamental to the success of our businesses and the financial well-being of South Carolina families.

Federal regulators will ultimately determine the path forward, and their review should be thorough and transparent. But from where I sit, the potential benefits to our state are clear. A more integrated, efficient rail system will help South Carolina businesses compete, help consumers by keeping costs lower, and help our state maintain the strong economic momentum we’ve built over the past decade.

A stronger rail network means a stronger South Carolina, and that is a future we should fully support.

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

Nathan Ballentine represents the citizens of House District 71 in the S.C. General Assembly.

***

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South-Carolina

LIVE: SC AG Alan Wilson, state, national leaders hold press conference on statewide drug busts

Published

13 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

LIVE: SC AG Alan Wilson, state, national leaders hold press conference on statewide drug busts

Statehouse Reporter Mary Green will have more on this tonight.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina Attorney General and other officials will be holding a press conference Friday at 9:30 a.m. to talk about statewide drug busts.

Wilson is set to be joined by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security, as well as several local sheriffs and other law enforcement partners.

Watch the full press conference in the video above.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

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South-Carolina

2026 Football Schedule Unveiled

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

The University of South Carolina’s 2026 football schedule has been unveiled, it was announced tonight on the SEC Network.

The Gamecocks’ 2026 schedule features nine regular-season SEC contests, with five games at home and four on the road. The schedule also includes non-conference games versus Kent State and Towson as part of the seven-game home slate, and a non-conference road contest at Clemson.

After opening the season with three-consecutive home games for the first time since 2014, the Gamecocks will alternate home and road contests throughout the remainder of the schedule. The 2026 schedule features just one open date which will come on week 7 (October 17).

As announced on Monday, the Gamecocks will open the season on Sept. 5 by hosting Kent State. Carolina drubbed the Golden Flashes in its only previous encounter, a 77-14 decision in 1995. Kent State finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 mark overall and a 4-4 record in the Mid-American Conference.

Week 2 will see the Towson Tigers make their first trip to Williams-Brice Stadium. The Tigers compete in the FCS Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and posted a 6-6 record in 2025 under head coach Pete Shinnick.

The Gamecocks begin their nine-game SEC gauntlet on Sept. 19 when Mississippi State visits Columbia. Carolina has won eight of the last nine meeting with the Bulldogs including a 37-30 win in 2023, the only contest played between the two schools since 2016. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series by a 10-7 margin. Mississippi State is one of seven teams on Carolina’s 2026 schedule that is playing in a post-season game this year.

The Gamecocks first road trip of the 2026 season takes them to Tuscaloosa on Sept. 26 for a date with the Alabama Crimson Tide, one of four teams on South Carolina’s 2026 slate that will appear in this year’s College Football Playoffs. It will mark the third-consecutive season that Carolina and Alabama have squared off, with the Tide narrowly winning the previous two – 27-25 in Tuscaloosa in 2024 and 29-22 in Columbia in 2025.

The Gamecocks and Kentucky Wildcats will meet in Columbia on Oct. 3. The teams met in Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025, with Carolina prevailing by a 35-13 score, its fourth-straight win in a series they lead 22-14-1.

Carolina wraps up the first half of the season at Florida on Oct. 10. The Gamecocks and Gators met every year on the gridiron from 1992-2023 but have not played in either of the last two seasons. Florida holds a commanding 31-10-3 lead in the all-time series including a 17-2 advantage when playing in The Swamp. Carolina’s last win in Gainesville came in overtime the 2014 season.

After an open date on Oct. 17, the Gamecocks will return to action at home on Oct. 24 against the Tennessee Volunteers. Like Florida, the Gamecocks and Vols met every year from 1992-2023 but have not played in either of the last two seasons. Tennessee leads the all-time series by a 29-13-2 count including a narrow 10-8-2 advantage when the game has been played in Columbia.

The Gamecocks will spend Halloween in Norman playing the Oklahoma Sooners. The teams had never met prior to OU joining the SEC but have played each of the past two seasons with each team winning on the others’ home field.

The Bonham Trophy will be at stake on Nov. 7 when Texas A&M visits Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks and Aggies have met every year since A&M joined the SEC in 2014. The Aggies hold a 10-2 advantage in the all-time series, but the Gamecocks have won each of the last two meetings in Columbia.

The Gamecocks will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. for just the second time since 2013 when they tangle with the Arkansas Razorbacks on Nov. 14. South Carolina has won three of the last four games with the Hogs, but Arkansas clings to a 14-10 advantage in the all-time series.

The second-longest running series in school history behind only Carolina-Clemson, the Carolina-Georgia rivalry gets renewed on Nov. 21 when the Bulldogs make their way to Columbia from Athens. Georgia has won 55 of the previous 76 meetings between the flagship schools from neighboring states, with the Gamecocks last win coming in 2019.

The 2026 regular season comes to an end on Nov. 28 when the Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers meet in the annual Palmetto Bowl. The 2026 meeting will take place in the Upstate, where the Gamecocks have won each of their last two visits.

SEASON TICKETS
Whether you’ve been attending games for years or want to experience the magic for the first time, it’s not too early to secure your season tickets for the 2026 season. Season tickets are available for as low as $65 per game with a 10-month payment plan option available. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets for the first time, can place a season ticket deposit today for only $50 plus fees or fill out our season ticket interest form to receive more information. Current season ticket holders will receive information soon on how to renew their tickets for the 2026 season and can contact their Gamecock Club Account Representative today to enroll in the 10-month payment plan. For more information on ticket options for the 2026 season, visit 2026 Football Hub.

2026 SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 5                  vs Kent State
Sept. 12 vs Towson
Sept. 19 vs Mississippi State*
Sept. 26 at Alabama*
Oct. 3 vs Kentucky*
Oct. 10 at Florida*
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24                 vs Tennessee*
Oct. 31 at Oklahoma*
Nov. 7 vs Texas A&M*
Nov. 14                 at Arkansas*
Nov. 21                 vs Georgia*
Nov. 28 at Clemson

*-SEC game

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