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
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 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 15 drawing
17-23-25-52-61, Mega Ball: 03
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 15 drawing
Midday: 6-9-2, FB: 3
Evening: 2-3-1, FB: 7
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 15 drawing
Midday: 1-7-4-3, FB: 3
Evening: 7-2-4-4, FB: 7
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 15 drawing
Midday: 05
Evening: 09
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from May 15 drawing
03-15-24-28-41
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 May 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 6-6-6, FB: 3
Evening: 4-8-2, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 6-9-9-3, FB: 3
Evening: 4-2-8-2, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 14
Evening: 09
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from May 14 drawing
03-06-13-35-38
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.
A primer on absentee and early voting as we await clarity on the Palmetto State’s suddenly shifting congressional districts…
by MARK POWELL
***
We’re hearing a lot these days about South Carolina’s partisan primary elections – and with good reason. In addition to the ongoing drama tied to the proposed redrawing of the Palmetto State’s congressional districts, elections for the two most influential statewide offices – governor and attorney general – are also on tap.
For the first time since 2010, neither of those races features an incumbent seeking reelection. Status quo incumbent governor Henry McMaster is term-limited and cannot run again, while attorney general Alan Wilson is stepping down as the state’s top prosecutor to campaign for governor.
Not surprisingly, both races are extremely competitive – with multiple candidates having potential paths to victory.
Although partisan primary elections won’t be held until June 9, 2026, votes are already being cast via absentee ballot. According to the S.C. Election Commission (SCVotes), at last count 9,267 absentee ballots have already been sent for the June 9 primary – with thousands more expected to be mailed out in the coming two weeks.
Of those, 549 ballots have already been completed and returned.
***
For those wanting to vote absentee, the clock is ticking. State law says absentee ballots must be returned eleven (11) days before Election Day… which is May 29, 2026. In requesting, completing and returning absentee ballots this year, voters would be wise to consider the congressional district in which they reside – and know it could change in the coming days.
Under pressure from U.S. president Donald Trump, lawmakers are poised to draw new congressional maps within the next week – meaning votes cast based on the current boundaries may not count. That’s one of many logistical (and potentially legal) headaches confronting lawmakers keen on doing Trump’s bidding.
Next up? Early voting…
Starting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and running through Friday, June 5, 2026, early voting centers will be open in all forty-six (46) counties in South Carolina. Ballots can be cast Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Remember to bring a valid photo identification with you, because when voting in person you will be asked to show one of the following…
- SC Driver’s License
- Includes standard license and REAL ID
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
- Includes standard ID card and REAL ID
- Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID
- Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
- US Passport
- Includes US Passport ID Card
For a sample ballot, click here. For information on where to vote in your county, click here.
***
RELATED | HENRY McMASTER CALLING SPECIAL SESSION
***
In some areas, curbside voting will also be available during the early voting window. Voters aged 65 and older or those with physical disabilities are eligible to cast their ballots from the convenience of their cars. Again, check with your local voting office about availability in your area.
Those concerned about lengthy waits and long, wrap-around-the-building lines may not have reason to fret – at least if recent history is any guide. While those horrifically long and agonizing queues are common in presidential primaries and general elections, Palmetto State citizens have had a more relaxed view of fulfilling their civic duty in recent years when it comes to primary elections.
In the last statewide primary in 2022, only 17.05% of registered voters cast their ballots. In 2018, it was 20.43%. Those were those landslides compared to 2014’s primary, when an anemic 15.97% participated.
The high-water mark for primary participation was 2010, when controversy swirling around Nikki Haley’s candidacy drove turnout to a whopping 24.11% – proving yet again that scandal always sells.
But I’ll leave any further discussion of that race (and that scandal) to our founding editor…
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
J. Mark Powell is an award-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Email him at mark@fitsnews.com.
***
SOUND OFF…
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