South-Carolina

Analysis: How South Carolina could help Trump make GOP history | CNN Politics

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

Analysis: How South Carolina could help Trump make GOP history | CNN Politics

CNN
—

The South Carolina Republican presidential primary is usually the most important contest of the nominating season. The state’s propensity for picking the eventual GOP nominee is unmatched by any other early-voting state. Since 1980, the only Republican to win the nomination without winning South Carolina was Mitt Romney in 2012.

This year, if history holds, it could mean the beginning of the end for Nikki Haley’s campaign.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump is dominating the polls. The former president has led every single poll in the state by at least 20 points this year. Surveys that meet CNN’s standards for publication have Trump up by at least 30 points this month.

To put that in perspective, I can’t find a single example of a well-polled presidential primary in the past 40 years in which a candidate has overcome the deficit Haley currently faces in her home state.

(Democrat Bernie Sanders’ 2016 Michigan primary win was the biggest recent shocker, and CNN approved surveys had him down by less than 20 points going into the election.)

Another ominous sign for Haley: Since the modern primary era began in 1972, no major-party nominee has ever lost his or her home state during the primary season. To that point, Trump has shown a knack for beating fellow Republicans in the states where they were first elected.

You may recall that Trump defeated Marco Rubio in the 2016 Florida primary, prompting the senator to drop out of the race. We’ll see if Haley ends up doing the same, though she has indicated otherwise.

While Haley is unlikely to take South Carolina, she is definitely outperforming her national baseline. Polls out this week from Marquette University Law School and Quinnipiac University have her losing to Trump by about 60 points on average nationwide.

Haley’s polling matches a historic pattern. Candidates usually outperform in their home states during the primary calendar. Candidates like Ted Cruz (Texas), John Kasich (Ohio) and Sanders (Vermont) all won their home-state primaries in either or both 2016 and 2020 but didn’t come particularly close to becoming their party’s nominee.

So the picture would likely only grow more dire for Haley after her home state votes.

Still, even if Trump does win Saturday’s primary (as every poll indicates), there are some questions pertaining to his scale of victory.

In 2016, Trump lost two counties on his way to winning the South Carolina primary: Charleston (home to the eponymously named coastal city) and Richland (home to the state capital of Columbia). A Trump sweep of both counties this time would likely mean he’d come away with all of the state’s delegates. South Carolina Republicans award 29 delegates to the statewide winner as well as three delegates to each winner of the state’s seven congressional districts.

Winning both counties would also indicate that any last resistance to Trump within the Republican electorate is fading. Both counties have relatively high levels of college graduates, who have been most hostile to the former president in GOP primaries historically.

Trump massively underperformed among college graduates in Iowa last month and outright lost them to Haley in New Hampshire. He got beaten by Haley among those with an advanced degree (e.g., a masters) in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

Trump winning college graduates in South Carolina would match what we’re seeing in national polling. Both Marquette and Quinnipiac put Trump at 60% of the vote or greater among college graduates (or White college graduates, in the case of Quinnipiac). Polling from the end of last year didn’t have Trump anywhere near that mark.

Indeed, if the polls are right about Trump, we will be left with one big question: Will he lose anywhere during the primaries?

Utah and Washington, DC, are the two places with primaries or caucuses on or before Super Tuesday where Trump performed the weakest in 2016. He got 14% of the vote in both places.

Victories there next month would all but guarantee Trump a milestone no other nonincumbent Republican has achieved in the modern presidential primary era: winning every single contest. This would leave little doubt that Trump is the heart of the GOP.

Source link

South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for June 2, 2026

Published

5 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for June 2, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing

15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing

Midday: 8-7-6, FB: 6

Evening: 3-8-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing

Midday: 2-8-6-6, FB: 6

Evening: 7-1-4-4, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing

Midday: 02

Evening: 06

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 2 drawing

01-04-05-07-34

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

South-Carolina

South Carolina store owner found not guilty of murder in fatal shooting of Black teen

Published

15 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina store owner found not guilty of murder in fatal shooting of Black teen

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Chikei Rick Chow has been found not guilty by a South Carolina jury on murder charges in the shooting death of a Black 14-year-old in Columbia.

Chow was charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton outside Chow’s Shell gas station on Parklane Road.

Carmack-Belton ran from the store while being chased by Chow and his son, according to prosecutors.

Authorities said the pair pursued the teen after accusing him of stealing four bottles of water from the store.

Chow shot Carmack-Belton once in the back after his son claimed the teen had a gun. He was arrested the following day.

In November 2025, a judge denied Rick Chow immunity under South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law and also denied bond, ruling the 60-year-old store owner was a danger to the community and a flight risk.

The ruling came after prosecutors presented surveillance video and photos in court showing Carmack-Belton running from the store. Authorities said the allegation of theft was not supported by surveillance video.

Chow has served three years in prison.

The unanimous decision came Monday evening after eight hours of deliberation.

Source link

South-Carolina

Anderson County voters to weigh in on Statehouse races. Who’s on ballot?

Published

1 day ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Anderson County voters to weigh in on Statehouse races. Who’s on ballot?

Voters in Anderson County will decide four contested South Carolina House primary races this June as incumbents face challengers on issues ranging from taxes and government spending to immigration, education, and public safety.

For the 2026 primaries, there are four contested races in Anderson County.

Candidate filing for the 2026 election cycle closed in March, officially setting the stage for the June primaries and November general election.

Polls opened for early voting on May 26, and election day will be on Tuesday, June 9. For residents looking to find where to vote, scvotes.org lists precinct locations.

State House District 6

April Cromer

Age: 49

Family: Cromer has a husband, Brent Cromer, and two children

Experience: She has been the incumbent since being elected on Nov.14, 2022. Outside of that, she’s an internal operations auditor for her family’s business, Cromer Food Services.

Top issue: She said the state government has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and argued lawmakers should focus on reducing inefficiencies before considering any tax increases.

“As a businesswoman who has helped run a company of more than 100 employees, I know that throwing money at broken systems never works. Rather than raising your taxes, yet again, increase our state budget, I’ll work to bring down costs and make our government more efficient by slashing wasteful spending,” Cromer said.

Kyle White

Age: 41

Family: Kyle is married to his wife, Ashlea, and they have a daughter and a son.

Experience: White is currently an attorney. He works at the White, Davis, and White Law Firm in Anderson.

Top issue: White said he supports conservative policies focused on gun rights, lower taxes, stricter immigration enforcement, and support for law enforcement, veterans, and small businesses. He also pledged to improve infrastructure and public education, expand school choice, protect natural resources and property rights, and push for government reform and accountability in Columbia.

“I will hold all branches accountable to ensure they work for us, not themselves or any special interest group. I am not a politician, and I have spent most of my career holding the government accountable in our courts, and I will take that experience to Columbia,” White said.

District 8

Sherry Hodges

Age: 70

Family: Sherry is married to Scott Hodges, and the pair has several children and grandchildren.

Experience: Hodges serves as vice-chair of the Anderson County Foster Care Review Board and an executive committee member of the Anderson County Republican Party. She served as chair of the Coalition Against the Anderson County Sales Tax Referendum.

Top issue: Hodges presents a platform focused on limited government, lower taxes, fiscal restraint, and redirecting state spending toward infrastructure, roads, and core services while opposing what she describes as wasteful government spending and tax increases.

She also emphasizes positions on a range of social and constitutional issues, including abortion, education and parental rights, gun rights, election integrity, immigration enforcement, and medical freedom, while advocating for stronger support for families, law enforcement, and small businesses.

Don Chapman

Age: 60

Family: Chapman is married to his wife, Amy.

Experience: Chapman is the incumbent in District 8 and was sworn in on Nov. 14, 2022. Chapman owns anarchitectural firm, Chapman Design Group, based in Anderson. He was formerly on the Anderson City Council from 2008 to 2021.

Top issue: Chapman points to efforts to strengthen public safety, secure the border, support education and school funding, protect life, and pass laws to safeguard children and expand parental and constitutional rights.

“Serving my hometown of Anderson County has been the honor of my life, and I’m grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me. I remain committed to fighting for our conservative values and the families of District 8,” Chapman said.

Patrick Orr

Age: 53

Family: Orr has one daughter

Experience: Orr served in the U.S. Navy and currently works as the vice president of information security in Anderson.

Top issue: Orr has cited his commitment to budget transparency, ending state income taxes on active-duty military, and judicial accountability.

“My background has reinforced the importance of transparency, discipline, and practical decision-making. I believe South Carolina deserves leaders who understand real-world challenges, respect taxpayers, and focus on solutions that work. I am running to bring experience, accountability, and steady leadership to the State House,” Orr said.

District 10

Thomas Beach

Age: 51

Family: Beach is married to Glair DaSilva, and they have three children.

Experience: Beach is the incumbent and is a former U.S. Army Ranger. He is currently a licensed realtor. He was elected on Nov. 8, 2022.

Top issue: Beach listed his goals as limiting government power, enforcing immigration laws, protecting taxpayer dollars, and opposing corporate subsidies and government waste, while emphasizing transparency and fiscal accountability. He also highlighted his support for stricter immigration enforcement, pro-life legislation, child protection policies, and Second Amendment rights, including the passage of Constitutional Carry in South Carolina.

“I am a principled constitutional conservative. I have and will continue to base all of my legislative activity on the enumerated rights laid out in the Declaration and the Constitution,” Beach said.

Stewart Watson

Age: 48

Family: N/A

Experience: Watson is a former professor at Mississippi State and Miami University Ohio. He’s now the owner of Antonio Pasta and Pizzeria in Powdersville.

Top issue: Watson said he’s looking to bring transparency, fight for abortion legislation, improve road infrastructure, and fight against undocumented immigration.

“I was raised to prioritize kindness, integrity, and being present for others when it matters most. It is now my desire to bring those same principles to Columbia by representing every resident of this district with dedication and honor,” Watson said.

District 11

Craig Gagnon

Age: 65

Family: He has two children, Leah Gagnon Crumley and Anna Gagnon Smith.

Experience: Gagnon was first elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2012. He operates the Abbeville Chiropractic Center.

Top issues: He’s highlighted improving S.C. roads, increasing state education funding, and boosting the economy through job creation.

“I believe our area is very special and our workers can compete with any workers anywhere. We deserve the chance to show it. I have and will continue to work to help our district grow through bringing more economic opportunity here,” Gagnon said.