We’re less than four months away from South Carolina’s football team kicking off the 2024 season in Columbia, which means we’re officially in talking season, where every team feels optimistic about their chances to be successful this coming Fall for differing reasons. Last season, the Gamecocks went into the season confident because they had Spencer Rattler at quarterback, but they were concerned because of all the new faces around him. The latter played out in an unfriendly way for Shane Beamer and his staff last year.

However, that won’t quite be the case this time around, as ESPN Analytics Guru Bill Connelly has South Carolina tied for 48th in his latest returning production chart he released on Monday afternoon, with the Gamecocks returning 65 percent of their production from a season ago. The formula does include portal commits. Carolina is tied for 36th in the Power 4 and ranks 7th in the SEC in returning production.

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In less than a month, South Carolina voters will cast ballots for congressional, state, and county seats in the June 11 primary.  

South Carolina is an open primary state, meaning registered voters can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primaries but cannot vote in both.  The deadline to register to vote in the primary passed on May 12, but you can still register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election. To register to vote, South Carolina residents can visit the South Carolina Election Commission’s website to register online.

Here’s what to know about the primary.  

Who’s on the ballot? 

Below is a list of contested primary races only. Many candidates will then face a candidate from an opposing party candidate in the November election.

U.S. House of Representatives District 3  

U.S. Representative Jeff Duncan, a Republican representing District 3 which encompasses Greenville and Anderson, announced in January that he would not seek re-election after serving seven terms. 

Republicans Sheri Biggs, Kevin Bishop, Mark Burns, Franky Franco, Phil Healy, Stewart O. Jones, and Elspeth Snow Murday will compete to be the Republican nominee on the ballot. Bryon L. Best and Frances Guldner are the Democratic candidates. 

U.S. House of Representatives District 4   

Incumbent William Timmons, Republican 

Adam Morgan, Republican 

State Senate, District 6 

Ben Carper, Republican 

Jason Elliott, Republican 

Dan Nickles, Republican 

State Senate District 7 

Incumbent Karl Allen, Democrat 

Michelle Goodwin Calwile, Democrat 

State Senate District 11 

Sevi Alvarez, Democrat 

Angela L. Geter, Democrat 

State Senate District 12  

Hope Blackley, Republican 

Lee Bright, Republican 

Skip Davenport, Republican 

Roger Allen Nutt, Republican 

State House of Representatives, District 5 

Incumbent Neal Collins, Republican 

Brandy Tarleton, Republican 

State House of Representatives, District 6 

Incumbent April Cromer, Republican 

Kyle White, Republican 

State House of Representatives, District 7 

Incumbent Jay West, Republican 

Lee Gilreath, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 8 

Incumbent Don Chapman, Republican 

Sherry Hodges, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 9  

Rick Bradshaw, Republican 

James Galyean, Republican 

Blake Sanders, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 10 

Incumbent Thomas Beach, Republican 

Pam Anthony, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 17 

Incumbent Mike Burns, Republican 

Tom Bates, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 18 

Incumbent Alan Morgan, Republican 

Tramaine Booker, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 19 

Incumbent Patrick Haddon, Republican 

Nate Marcionette, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 20 

Sarah Curran, Republican 

Stephen Frank, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 22 

Stan Tzouvelekas, Republican 

Paul Wickensimer, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 24 

Incumbent Bruce Bannister, Republican 

Bill Coleman, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 25 

Incumbent Wendell Jones, Democrat 

Bruce Wilson, Democrat 

State House of Representatives District 28 

Chris Huff, Republican 

Allen Kellett, Republican 

Troy Prosser, Republican 

Daniel Rumfelt, Republican 

Kerri Smith, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 33 

Incumbent Travis A. Moore, Republican 

Bill DeVore, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 34 

Sarita Edgerton, Republican 

JoAnne L. LaBounty, Republican 

Henry Ross, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 35 

Incumbent Bill Chumley, Republican  

Kevin Dunn, Republican 

State House of Representatives, District 36 

Incumbent Rob Harris, Republican 

Adam Crisp, Republican 

State House of Representatives District 38 

Incumbent Josiah Magnuson, Republican 

Jason Shamis, Republican 

Solicitor Circuit 10 

Michah Black, Republican 

Beth Blundy, Republican 

Danny Fulmer, Republican 

Greenville County Sherriff 

Incumbent Hobart Lewis, Republican 

Mike Fortner, Republican 

Spartanburg County Sherriff 

Incumbent Chuck Wright, Republican 

Nick Duncan, Republican 

Greenville County Clerk of Court 

Mary Garrett, Republican 

Jay Gresham, Republican 

Greenville County Coroner  

Dale Arterburn, Republican 

Mike Ellis, Republican 

Anderson County Coroner 

James Hayes, Republican 

Greg L. Shore, Republican 

Spartanburg County Council District 1 

Incumbent Mo Abusaft, Democrat 

Ricky Fields Jr, Democrat 

Mike Fowler, Democrat 

Spartanburg County Council District 3 

Incumbent David Britt, Republican 

Bryan Alverson, Republican 

Spartanburg County Council District 4 

Incumbent Justin McCorkle, Republican 

Grant DeShields, Republican 

Frank Tiller, Republican 

Anderson County Council District 4 

Incumbent Brett Sanders, Republican 

Dave Shalaby, Republican 

Anderson County Council District 5 

Tommy Dunn, Republican 

Robert McCurry, Republican 

Greenville County District 18 

Incumbent Michael Barnes, Republican 

Kelly Long, Republican 

Greenville County Council District 20 

Incumbent Steve Shaw, Republican 

Ken Matesevac, Republican 

Alex Reynolds, Republican 

Greenville County Council District 21 

Incumbent Chris Harrison, Republican 

Curt McGahhey, Republican 

Greenville County Council District 22 

Frank Farmer, Republican 

Ethan Jedziniak, Republican 

Jay Rogers, Republican 

Nia Thomas, Republican 

Greenville County Council District 24 

Incumbent Liz Seman, Republican 

John Langville, Constitution Party 

Greenville County Council District 25 

Incumbent Ennis Fant, Democrat 

Patrick Prince, Democrat 

Derrick Quarles, Democrat 

Lisa Sweeney, Democrat 

Greenville County District 27 

Incumbent Butch Kirven, Republican 

Garey Collins, Republican 

How do I know what district I’m in?

You can find out what district you live in on South Carolina’s Statehouse website.

Important dates to know for the primary

May 28: Early voting for primaries begins. Polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

May 31: Deadline for voters to apply for an absentee ballot for primaries.

June 7: Deadline to vote early in person for primaries.

June 11: Statewide primaries

What do I need to bring to the polls?

To vote in South Carolina, you need to bring your photo identification, which could be your South Carolina driver’s license, SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card, SC Voter Registration Card with Photo, a federal military ID or a U.S. passport.

How do I find my polling location?

You can find your polling location by visiting SC Votes here.

Savannah Moss covers Greenville County politics and growth/development. Reach her at smoss@gannett.com or follow her on X @Savmoss.

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has inked a deal with Nike for her own signature shoe. This announcement comes on the heels of Nike’s recent partnership with WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark, sparking questions about why Wilson, a seasoned player with multiple accolades, hadn’t secured such a deal sooner.

A’ja Wilson, the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, has an impressive resume that includes two league MVP titles, a Finals MVP, two WNBA championships, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and five All-Star honors. Her new partnership with Nike marks a significant milestone in her career and brings attention to the apparel affiliations at the University of South Carolina, Wilson’s alma mater.

Gamecocks alumni push for Nike switch following A’ja Wilson’s endorsement deal

The University of South Carolina, a prominent client of Under Armour, faces a branding debate as Wilson’s deal with Nike has reignited discussions about the university’s athletic apparel contract. In 2016, the university extended its partnership with Under Armour for ten years, a decision that was met with mixed reactions from the community, some of whom expressed a preference for Nike.

The contract with Under Armour is due to expire in 2026, and former NBA player Sindarius Thornwell, a fellow University of South Carolina alumnus, has publicly supported the idea of switching to Nike. Thornwell, known for his pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ 2017 Final Four run, reflects a segment of the fanbase that favors Nike over Under Armour.

As the expiration of the current apparel deal approaches, discussions and speculations continue about the potential impact of Wilson’s Nike deal on the future apparel decisions at the University of South Carolina.