Charleston SC Politics & Civic News — Page 22
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 22
Global Shipping Risks and Sanctions Resonate in Charleston
United States military actions in Iran, following reported attacks on commercial vessels near the critical Strait of Hormuz, have introduced new complexities into global shipping and energy markets.…
Supreme Court’s Emergency Orders on Executive Power and Election Rules Draw Scrutiny, With Broad Implications for Charleston
The Supreme Court has increasingly relied on its emergency docket, often referred to as the “shadow docket,” to issue significant rulings that shape executive power and election rules…
New Tariff Notices Spark Economic Concerns for Charleston Businesses and Consumers
President Donald Trump announced that tariff letters to a dozen countries have been signed and are scheduled to be sent out today, July 7, 2026. The move signals…
Supreme Court Docket Sets Up Key Cases With Potential Impact in Charleston
The United States Supreme Court is preparing for a new term that will feature a series of cases with far-reaching implications, touching on fundamental questions of constitutional law…
Supreme Court Docket Sets Up Key Legal Battles with Implications for Charleston
The Supreme Court’s next term is set to address a series of significant legal disputes that could reshape national policy on several contentious issues, including restrictions on assault-style…
Supreme Court Docket Sets Up Key Cases With Potential Ripple Effects for Charleston
The Supreme Court’s next term is set to address a series of high-profile cases that could have significant implications for various aspects of American life, from individual liberties…
Charleston and the Supreme Court: Next Term to Tackle Gun Rights, Voting Rules, and LGBT Protections
The Supreme Court is preparing for a new term that will bring several high-stakes legal battles to the forefront, addressing issues ranging from the scope of gun control…
Charleston Observes America 250 Celebrations Amidst National Political Framing
The United States marked its 250th anniversary of independence on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with nationwide celebrations that, while commemorating a historic milestone, also drew significant national political…
Trump Authorizes Declassification of 2020 Election Records, Drawing National Attention Reflected in Charleston
President Donald Trump has indicated that his acting spy chief possesses extensive authorization to declassify a range of records, including sensitive material connected to the 2020 election. The…
White House Declassification Directive Draws Attention, Including in Charleston
President Donald Trump has stated that his acting intelligence chief has extensive permission to declassify government records, a directive that includes material pertinent to investigations surrounding the 2020…
