• South Carolina voters face potential showers and thunderstorms on June 9 in the Upstate.
• The National Weather Service forecasts a 70% chance of precipitation, with storms increasing in the afternoon.
• Some areas in the Upstate could experience heavy rainfall and isolated flooding.

Primary election day has arrived in Upstate South Carolina. And voters heading to the polls today, June 9, may want to keep an eye on the weather before stepping out to cast their ballot.

According to the National Weather Service in Greenville–Spartanburg, showers and thunderstorms are expected through the afternoon and evening of June 9. With heavy rainfall possible across parts of the Upstate.

Forecasters warn that the chances of storms could increase early in the afternoon, then taper off later tonight. Some areas could also see isolated flooding as slow‑moving storms develop.

As voters head to the polls, the weather may end up playing just as much of a role in the day as the races themselves.

Soggy skies ahead for South Carolina primary

As reported by the National Weather Service, a sharp trough sliding in today is about to stir things up across South Carolina.

The atmosphere is already setting the stage for a soggy, storm‑filled afternoon on June 9. It’s a day where showers and thunderstorms become increasingly common as a weak backdoor front hangs around just long enough to keep things unsettled.

Severe weather isn’t expected to be a major player, but it’s not completely off the table either.

Greenville, Upstate SC weather outlook for June 9 primary

• June 9: Showers likely before 11 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Calm winds become south-southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Precipitation chance is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 
• Tonight: A 30% chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph, becomes calmer in the evening. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.

Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trose@gannett.com.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina voters on Tuesday are aiming to winnow the field in high-profile races for governor and U.S. Senate, with Republicans seeking to maintain a statewide winning streak that stretches back decades.

Republican contenders have trumpeted their loyalty to President Donald Trump, who has remained popular in the state despite some nationwide wavering as the war with Iran continues. Sen. Lindsey Graham, among Trump’s top allies on Capitol Hill, notched the president’s endorsement before his campaign had even begun.

In the governor’s race, Trump backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette over several opponents, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace. The primary will determine whether the endorsement can help Evette win outright or if there will be a runoff on June 23.

Democrats are searching for their first victory in a statewide race here in 20 years, but their campaigns for governor and Senate will be an uphill climb.

GOP governor candidates have played largely to Trump

Competition among Republicans for Trump’s support has seemed more intense than any other facet of the primary campaign.

Even before Evette received the president’s endorsement, she frequently featured photos and videos of herself with Trump in campaign materials. She was backed by outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster, a longstanding ally of Trump whose support telegraphed the president’s own.

Mace also wanted Trump’s support, and he endorsed her congressional reelection in 2024 even though she criticized his actions of Jan. 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Ralph Norman, among the most conservative members of the House and a member of the Freedom Caucus, strongly supported Trump in the president’s first term. But in the 2024 campaign, Norman stumped for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley instead of Trump.

Rom Reddy, a coastal businessman who has eschewed campaign donations and self-funded his effort, has touted his lack of political experience as an asset, drawing comparisons between Trump and himself.

Graham, backed by Trump, hopes to bounce Lynch en route to 5th term

South Carolina’s other top contest Tuesday is its Senate race, where Graham is competing for the Republican nomination as he seeks a fifth term. A political confidant and regular golfing partner of the president, Graham has routinely batted back primary challengers over the years. Some of this year’s contenders — including Project 2025 chief architect Paul Dans and former Lt. Gov. André Bauer — dropped out months ago.

Although their relationship has undulated through the years, Graham has remained close with Trump, who fulfilled the senator’s longstanding wish for direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Graham cheered Trump’s decision to strike nuclear sites last year and recently said he often speaks to the president about the ongoing conflict.

Among Graham’s primary foes are including Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, who has said Graham isn’t conservative enough to represent the state. Calling himself an “America First” candidate, Lynch has campaigned as a Trump supporter, but on social media the president has called him a “lunatic” and a “disaster for the Republican Party.”

Winning statewide in November remains a tall order for SC Democrats

Democrats haven’t won the governor’s office or a Senate seat in South Carolina for decades.

McMaster defeated his opponent by nearly 18 percentage points in 2022. Graham won by 10 points in 2020, defeating Jaime Harrison after the most expensive race in state history.

Some Democrats hope to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Trump this year. In the governor’s race, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, seen as a rising star in the party, is facing several opponents, including political newcomer Billy Webster, a payday loan company founder who lent his campaign $2 million. There’s also attorney Mullins McLeod, who withstood calls from party leaders to shutter his campaign after dashcam video of his 2025 disorderly conduct arrest was released.

In the Senate race, Charleston physician Annie Andrews — who unsuccessfully challenged Mace in 2022 — is vying for the Democratic nomination against Brandon Brown, a funeral homeowner and former House candidate.

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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP

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