Charleston SC Politics & Civic News — Page 17
Covering Charleston City Council, Charleston County Council, South Carolina General Assembly, and your federal representatives in Washington, D.C. Accountability journalism for Charleston County residents.
Charleston County sits inside one of the most layered governmental structures in the region. Residents answer to at least five levels of elected authority simultaneously: the federal government, statewide offices, Charleston County Council, Charleston City Council, and school district boards — each a separately elected body covering its own geographic slice of the county.
Charleston’s federal delegation includes US Rep. Nancy Mace (SC District 1) and US Rep. James Clyburn (SC District 6) and Senators Darline Graham and Tim Scott. In Columbia, Charleston is represented by Sens. Ed Sutton (District 20), Matthew W. "Matt" Leber (District 41), Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms (District 37), Brian Adams (District 44), Margie Bright Matthews (District 45), George E. "Chip" Campsen III (District 43), and Deon T. Tedder (District 42) and Reps. Leonidas E. "Leon" Stavrinakis (District 119), Marvin "Mark" Smith (District 99), Elizabeth "Spencer" Wetmore (District 115), Gary S. Brewer, Jr. (District 114), Carl L. Anderson (District 103), Wendell G. Gilliard (District 111), James E. Teeple (District 116), and Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr. (District 110).
Charleston County Council controls property tax millage, land-use zoning outside city limits, and fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements. Downtown zoning decisions and the Charleston Police Department budget run through Charleston City Council. State funding for schools, roads, and Medicaid flows from the South Carolina General Assembly. The Charleston County Elections and Voter Registration Office administers local balloting under SC Election Commission oversight.
HERE Charleston covers Charleston County Council meetings, Charleston City Council sessions, South Carolina General Assembly session, federal delegation votes and town halls, school board meetings, and candidate filing windows. We also pull FOIA-sourced travel records and contracts at both the city and county level. If it shapes how Charleston County is governed, it’s HERE.
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Charleston is in Charleston County, South Carolina. Mayor: William S. Cogswell Jr.; Mayor Pro Tem: Karl L. Brady Jr..
Latest Charleston Politics News — Page 17
Judge Strikes Down Trump’s 75-Country Visa Ban
A federal judge on Friday struck down the Trump administration's ban on immigrant visas from 75 countries, ruling the policy was contrary to law and exceeded the statutory…
Mysterious Ox Alpha AI Model Sparks Silicon Valley Interest
A new, free artificial intelligence model named Ox Alpha has emerged, capturing the attention of developers and tech leaders in Silicon Valley since its appearance on OpenRouter on…
Lanning Criticizes NFL Players Returning to College
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning recently voiced strong disapproval regarding a court ruling that allows some NFL players to return to college football. This development, which occurred…
Wofford’s Machowski Joins UConn Basketball
Nils Machowski, a transfer from Wofford, has joined the University of Connecticut men's basketball program, a development noted in an August 23, 2026, college basketball ranking update. Machowski…
Florida Soccer Defeats Reigning National Champion FSU 3-1
The Florida Gators soccer team secured a significant 3-1 victory over reigning national champion Florida State on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville.…
Federal Judge Rules Trump-Era Visa Ban Illegal
A federal judge on Friday, August 21, 2026, struck down a Trump administration policy that banned the issuance of immigrant visas to individuals from 75 countries. The ruling…
Tim Scott backs Darline Graham despite debate flub
Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, voiced strong support for fellow South Carolina Republican Senator Darline Graham on Sunday, August 23, ahead of her special GOP primary…
Tim Scott Affirms Darline Graham’s Senate Qualifications
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, stated on August 23, 2026, that Senator Darline Graham is unequivocally qualified for the Senate. This declaration comes just ahead…
Anderson Area Touchdown Club Launches 46th Football Season
The Anderson Area Touchdown Club officially began its 46th season on Friday, August 21, with an event at the Anderson Institute of Technology. The kickoff featured head coaches…
Amare Adams Eyes Breakout Sophomore Season for Clemson
Clemson defensive tackle Amare Adams is preparing for a significant role in his sophomore season, with opportunities rising due to changes in the team's defensive line. Adams, a…
Lights Out Boston Leads Atlantic After Grand Slam
Lights Out Boston secured a significant lead in the Atlantic Division Championship on Sunday, August 23, 2026, by completing a billfish grand slam. This achievement pushed them to…
Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Heats Up for Catfish, Bream
A public comment period for a proposed red snapper season, which could impact South Carolina anglers, is set to close on August 25. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric…
