Charleston SC Politics & Civic News — Page 18
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.
HERE! NOW! — Politics
Report a Civic Issue
Anonymous. No sign-up. Your report goes to the right people.
Your Voice. Their Responsibility.
The only local news platform where citizens can publicly surface issues to elected officials and get answers.
HERE Answers
Civic issues submitted by the community. Answers pending from officials.
No issues reported yet. Be the first to speak up.
Charleston Speaks
What do you think: Charleston Mayor Lays Out Daniel Island Growth and Traffic Plans?
What do you think: Russia Frees Jailed Michigan Man After Trump Appeal to Putin?
Local & State Political News
Your Charleston Reps
Every official with a vote on Charleston's future — pulled live from our roster.
Quick Resources
Charleston is in Charleston County, South Carolina. Mayor: William S. Cogswell Jr.; Mayor Pro Tem: Karl L. Brady Jr..
Latest Charleston Politics News — Page 18
Coach raises player safety concerns after late hit
Nation Ford High School head football coach Jake Bentley voiced significant concerns regarding player safety after a late hit on one of his players went unpenalized during the…
Panthers Secure 34-17 Preseason Victory Over Jaguars
The Carolina Panthers achieved a 34-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in a preseason game on Friday night, August 22, 2026. Quarterback Bryce Young demonstrated improved performance in…
US-Canada Trade Deal Collapses, Threatening Auto Industry
A trade agreement between the United States and Canada collapsed on Saturday, August 22, threatening key industries and potentially leading to higher prices for consumers in both nations.…
US Treasury Intervenes as Bond Market Jitters Persist
The US Treasury intervened in government bond markets last week, a move that has reignited concerns about the nation's fiscal position and potential for a debt crisis. Treasury…
Charleston Schools Embrace AI Literacy Training
The Charleston County School District is implementing a new strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into classrooms, focusing on AI literacy for both teachers and students. This initiative comes…
Charleston Educators Embrace AI as Teaching Tool
Charleston County School District educators are integrating artificial intelligence chatbots into classrooms, shifting from initial bans to a strategy of encouraging classroom experimentation. This approach aims to equip…
South Carolina Faces Fourth Election in 11 Weeks
South Carolina Republicans are preparing for their fourth primary election in 11 weeks on August 25, a delayed runoff to select a U.S. Senate nominee. This special primary…
Clemson Scrimmage Disappoints Swinney
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney expressed dissatisfaction with his team's performance during their final preseason intersquad scrimmage on Thursday. Swinney described it as the worst day the team…
Nabers, Mahomes Face ACL Concerns
Several key NFL players are dealing with injuries that could impact their availability for the upcoming season, including New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers and Kansas City…
Stars and Stripes Editor Fired Amid Censorship Fears
The editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, Erik Slavin, has expressed concerns about censorship after being dismissed by the US Department of Defense (DoD) for alleged insubordination. Slavin, who…
NCAA Wins Appeal on 5-Year Eligibility Rule
The NCAA secured a federal court victory regarding its five-year eligibility rule, though the decision does not fully resolve ongoing roster uncertainties for college sports. A 2-1 ruling…
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Sets Digital, 4K Release
Christopher Nolan's epic film, The Odyssey, will be available for rent and purchase on digital platforms starting November 17. The movie will also launch on 4K Ultra HD…
