South-Carolina
DECISION 2024: Two SC senators announce 2024 re-election campaigns

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Two South Carolina Senators announced re-election campaigns on Monday before the official filing period for state elections opens on March 16. The two senators, Darrell Jackson and Vernon Stephens, both announced re-election in press releases sent out Monday morning.
Senator Darrell Jackson announced he would seek another term as the Richland County Senator serving South Carolina Senate District 21.
The state senator has been in office since 1992 and won a no-contest election for District 21 on November 3, 2020, taking 97 percent of the vote.
In an announcement to his constituents on Monday, March 4, 2024, Senator Jackson highlighted his work in the Senate. According to his campaign, 23 bills Jackson has sponsored have become statewide laws.
“One piece of legislation that I am most proud of is the Family Leave Act, which became law in 2022,” said Jackson. “The Family Leave Act provides six weeks of paid family leave for eligible state employees who have just given birth or adopted a child.”
In his announcement, Senator Jackson highlighted his current work on a bipartisan effort to ensure that all children in South Carolina are properly fed during the summer months through a federally funded summer EBT program.
If re-elected, Senator Jackson will become the second-ranking Senator in the South Carolina Senate and its highest-ranking Democrat, following Senator Nikki Setzler’s retirement. As of now, no other candidates have officially announced their intention to run for South Carolina Senate District 21.
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Senator Vernon Stephens announced at a press conference Monday morning his intention to run for a second term as the South Carolina State Senator for Senate District 39, which includes Orangeburg, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.
He assumed office on November 9, 2020, after beating Republican Tom Connor in the general election for South Carolina State Senate District 39.
In a statement to his constituents on Monday, March 4, 2024, Senator Stephens pledged to keep working towards improving the quality of life and safeguarding the freedoms of all South Carolinians.
As of now, no other Democrat has officially declared their candidacy. However, Senator Vernon Stephens will have to run against Republican opponent Tom Fernandez.
“After many months of deliberation, seeking input from the people of Senate District 39, and prayer with family, I am excited to announce my candidacy for the South Carolina Senate,” Fernandez said in a conference announcing his senate bid in 2023.The people of District 39 demand a Senator who represents our conservative values.”
Fernandez has run twice for SC House District 100 in 2018 and 2020, losing both times in the Republican primary to incumbent Sylleste Davis.
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Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.

South-Carolina
Here’s what South Carolina politicians, parties had to say about passage of spending bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping spending plan that sends more money to the border and military while taking funds away from social programs.
The 1,116-page-long package narrowly passed in a 215-214 vote on May 22. President Donald Trump applauded the bill’s passage, which outlines a major restructuring of federal funds that would affect income tax rates, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Congressional leaders from South Carolina and Greenville County Democrats and Republicans reacted along party lines to the bill and its potential impacts on South Carolinians.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it will likely face further amendments. It needs a majority vote to clear the chamber and go to the president’s desk.
Billions in cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits
Stacey Mars, the chair of the Greenville County Democratic Party, said the bill’s changes to social services like Medicaid and SNAP will have the biggest impact on Greenville County residents.
“We already have people who are falling through the gap when it comes to healthcare,” Mars said. “Everyone, if you are an American citizen, deserves to have the support from the government.”
Katherine Harvey, the chair of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party, also said she thinks the most concerning part of the bill is the possible Medicaid and SNAP cuts.
“This is a significant impact on a part of our state that is already experiencing health disparities,” Harvey said. “Nobody asked for this. The costs would be devastating.”
The Congressional Budget Office released a preliminary analysis of the effects of the bill on May 20 — which estimates a $698 billion cut to Medicaid and a $267 billion cut to SNAP benefits over the next 10 years.
About 20,800 households in Greenville County, 11,000 in Anderson County, and 17,300 in Spartanburg County receive SNAP benefits as of April, according to the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said that 95,000 of Greenville County residents are covered by Medicaid.
South Carolina spent $8.9 billion on Medicaid in 2022, according to KFF — which is a nonprofit that conducts health policy research. The federal government covered 75% of that total.
Republican Rep. William Timmons (SC 4th District) called the legislation a “must-pass bill” that will strengthen the economy. He said that this bill will help better confirm the identities of people applying for benefits – while making sure people who are qualified will stay eligible for Medicaid and SNAP.
“We have to pass this bill,” Timmons said prior to the vote. “The American people voted for it this past November.”
The Greenville County Republican Party chairman said his members would much rather see single bills passed than large spending packages like this one, but understands this is the legislative system America has in place.
“The Greenville County Republican Party is in full support of the TRUMP agenda,” said Jeff Davis, in a statement. “We look forward to the scheduled July 4th signing of this landmark legislation.”
Reverting to 2017 tax rates, removing taxes on tips and overtime
The spending bill would also extend the U.S. tax code that was passed in 2017 during the first Trump administration, which was set to expire at the end of 2025.
The measure reduced federal income tax rates for each of the seven brackets except the lowest quintile and the second-highest quintile. A new provision to the legislation would increase the child tax credit to $2,500 through 2028.
“Extending the tax from 2017 is critical,” Timmons said.
Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC 6th District) said the benefits of the 2017 tax code change were felt most by wealthier people, not the people in lower income brackets.
“You got the lower 20%, they get a negative result out of this tax cut and the upper 20% get a fantastic result,” Clyburn said. “Why are we putting taxes in such a way that benefits millionaires and billionaires?”
Clyburn joined every other House Democrat and two Republicans in a vote against the bill.
“I think it’s probably one of the worst pieces of legislation I’ve seen since I’ve been in the Congress,” Clyburn said.
No federal tax on tips and overtime
The 2025 budget reconciliation bill also gets rid of federal income taxes on overtime pay and tips, which are two items Trump campaigned on in 2024.
Just under 10% of Greenville metro area workers are employed in the food preparation and service industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Only three other occupational areas had more employees: production, office and administrative support, and sales.
“This bill delivers on the clear mandate voters gave us in 2024 — to restore security, sanity, and sovereignty to this country,” Republican Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC 3rd District) said. “It may not be perfect — few things in Washington are — but it delivers big wins for border security, personal freedom, and fiscal responsibility.
South-Carolina
South Carolina set to use new tool to help verify voter citizenship status

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Elections Commission will begin using a new verification tool to check voters’ citizenship status to ensure that only U.S. citizens are voting in elections.
The new tool is called the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) that was established by an executive order from President Donald Trump. It will allow state agencies to verify new voter applicants’ citizenship status.
The enhanced tool will start out using alien numbers, certificate of citizenship and/or naturalization numbers, eventually transitioning to using more identifiers like Social Security numbers. Only agencies with a memorandum of understanding with SAVE will be allowed to access the program and its data.
The rollout of the SAVE program comes after South Carolina citizens voted in 2024 to approve an amendment to the state constitution that says only US citizens can vote in all elections. Previously, the constitution stated that “all citizens 18 years and older can vote.”

“South Carolina voters overwhelmingly approved this amendment to ensure that only eligible citizens have a say in our elections,” Howard Knapp, executive director of the South Carolina Elections Commission, said. “We are encouraged that federal agencies are now responding to that directive and providing the tools we need to enforce it responsibly and lawfully.”
The elections commission first applied to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2024 for aid in verifying voters’ citizenship status, but their request was denied. It was later approved in early 2025.

Knapp said that the new tool will help reflect what citizens voted for in the 2024 election.
“South Carolinians can be confident that, heading into the 2026 election cycle, our procedures fully reflect the citizen-only voting requirement approved by voters in 2024,” Knapp said.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for May 20, 2025

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at May 20, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 20 drawing
18-30-33-55-64, Mega Ball: 11
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 20 drawing
Midday: 4-5-4, FB: 6
Evening: 5-1-2, FB: 9
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 20 drawing
Midday: 7-7-6-1, FB: 6
Evening: 1-2-5-2, FB: 9
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 20 drawing
Midday: 05
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from May 20 drawing
02-14-19-24-27
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.
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