South-Carolina
Rom Reddy shares his vision for the governor’s office
WATCH: Rom Reddy shares his perspective on what makes him a unique candidate
VIDEO: Reddy shares what makes him stand out in South Carolina governor’s race
Editor’s note: The Greenville News invited all current gubernatorial candidates to a sit-down interview on their campaigns and plans for the governor’s office.
Rom Reddy, founder of DOGE SC, became the latest Republican to join the governor’s race on March 16.
He said what sets him a part from other candidates is that he is not a part of the “ruling class,” a term he uses to describe political figures who have held power for many years. His competitors in the Republican primary race are U.S. Reps. Ralph Norman, District 5, and Nancy Mace, District 1, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, Spartanburg.
Reddy recently sat down with The Greenville News for a conversation on why he thinks he is the right candidate for office.
Who is Rom Reddy?
Rom Reddy is an Isle of Palms businessman who became a political figure in South Carolina after launching DOGE SC, a political action committee modeled after the federal government’s Department of Government Efficiency.
In his early career, Reddy worked for Exxon Chemical after graduating from the Wharton Business School. According to the candidate, he held several different positions within the company before becoming the general manager of a joint Exxon and Dow Chemical venture.
He said he ended up buying the Exxon facility in Summerville, South Carolina with a business partner — launching his start as an entrepreneur.
“After that I built businesses, sold businesses (and) started businesses,” Reddy said, noting that the companies he has built or restructured focus on manufacturing, artificial turf and packaging.
Reddy’s career shifted to politics when he launched DOGE SC in 2025. According to Reddy, DOGE SC was in part born out of a property rights issue over the construction of a seawall on his Isle of Palms beachfront home. Reddy is involved in an ongoing legal dispute about the legality of a seawall he built on his property.
“It just kind of evolved from there,” Reddy said. “It just caught fire and kept growing and growing and growing.”
Making the decision to run for governor
Reddy said he was not planning on running for the governor’s office, but he felt compelled to enter the race after not seeing a candidate emerge that supported the DOGE SC agenda. According to DOGE SC’s website, the organization’s goal is to advance causes like eliminating the state’s income tax, reduce the number of state agencies, and remove the legislature’s ability to elect judges.
“The last thing I want to do was be in political office,” Reddy said.
The Lowcountry businessman decided to enter the race on March 16, the start of the candidate filing period in South Carolina. He describes his opponents as part of a “ruling class” that has been in power for a long time, saying that he offers something “different” to South Carolinians.
“I felt like someone from the outside need to be in to really make change in the state,” Reddy said. “No one stepped in, so finally we said we’re going to step in.”
Stance on endorsements and campaign donations
Reddy said upon launching his gubernatorial campaign that he will not accept campaign donations and will not make plays for endorsements. He believes accepting campaign donations from large political action committees feeds into corruption in politics.
“It just corrupts the whole process.”
As for endorsements, Reddy said he cannot control who voices their support for his campaign, but he won’t be pushing for any candidate’s endorsements.
“Why would I want an elected official telling you how to vote for another elected official?” Reddy said, remarking that voters should make the decision on who to vote for themselves based on a candidate’s policy stance. “We shouldn’t dumb the process down.”
Top issues and campaign priorities
Many of Reddy’s policies reflect the DOGE SC platform, including phasing out the state’s income tax and changing the state’s process for electing judges. Reddy also wants to give the governor more executive authority in the state, which is an agenda point that sets him apart from other Republican candidates.
To give the governor more power, Reddy wants to create a cabinet under the governor’s oversight that would take over some of the responsibilities of state agencies. He also wants to create an Office of the Citizen for a direct line of communication between South Carolinians and the governor.
“We’ve got to reassert executive authority,” Reddy said.
Other agenda points focus on boosting the state’s education, infrastructure, crime rates and median family income. To improve the state’s road conditions, the candidate wants to create a South Carolina Department of Transportation commissioner position, which would be governor-appointed. He also wants to limit the number of state-owned roads and cut SCDOT regulations.
“We keep doing the same thing over and over again and look where it’s gotten us.”
Who else is in the race?
Reddy is running against Evette, Norman, Wilson, Kimbrell and Mace in the Republican gubernatorial primary. There are also three Democratic candidates competing for their party’s nomination: Greenville businessman and former Bill Clinton staffer Billy Webster, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, Richland, and Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod.
The South Carolina primary election is June 9,. Whoever wins the Republican and Democrat nominations will face off in the general election on Nov. 3.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com
US Sen. Lindsey Graham’s connection to his hometown, favorite lunch
This longtime Seneca restaurant employee recalls U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham visiting over the years as well as his favorite lunch.
Information on funeral arrangements for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham are starting to come together in South Carolina and in Washington, D.C.
Graham, who died on July 11 due to aortic dissection, will have events take place in the nation’s capital and in his home state in late July, but there has not been much information released about what the events will entail or whether the long-term politician will lie in state in either location.
Here’s what we know about Graham’s funeral arrangements so far.
Will Lindsey Graham be lying in state in Washington, D.C.? South Carolina?
As of Friday, July 17, there has been no plans announced for Graham to lie in state in Washington, D.C., or in South Carolina.
When will a funeral service for Lindsey Graham be in South Carolina?
Taylor Reidy, Graham’s communications director, announced that there will be a service for Graham in Pickens County and Columbia on Wednesday, July 29.
When is the funeral service for Lindsey Graham in Washington, D.C.?
Reidy stated the service for Graham in Washington, D.C., will take place on Tuesday, July 28.
Will the public be able to attend the funeral services for Lindsey Graham?
While the days for services for Graham have been announced, there is no schedule of events available, nor is it clear whether the public will be able to attend as part of the arrangements.
Reidy stated in her social media post that additional details would be forthcoming.
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 July 16, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 16 drawing
Midday: 9-7-1, FB: 5
Evening: 2-8-0, FB: 4
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 16 drawing
Midday: 7-4-2-9, FB: 5
Evening: 2-8-6-1, FB: 4
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 16 drawing
Midday: 10
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 16 drawing
06-21-24-38-40
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.
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 July 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 15 drawing
02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 6-0-9, FB: 9
Evening: 8-8-1, FB: 4
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 3-8-1-2, FB: 9
Evening: 2-7-9-6, FB: 4
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 15 drawing
01-04-17-34-41
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 15 drawing
14-15-23-33-42, Powerball: 16
Check Powerball Double Play 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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