Latest Charleston Water Offers Free Lead Pipe Swaps in Charleston
CHARLESTON, SC · LOWCOUNTRY EDITION · THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
BUSINESS DIRECTORY | ADD YOUR BUSINESS | NEWSLETTER | SUBMIT A TIP
HERE City Network
HERECharleston
Why It Matters. HERE!
Charleston Water Offers Free Lead Pipe Swaps in Charleston Alex Sanders, Former College of Charleston President, Dies at 88 Charleston Mayor Lays Out Daniel Island Growth and Traffic Plans Crash Shuts Weber Boulevard in North Charleston FAA Certifies Boeing 737 Max 10
Charleston SC Politics & Government

Charleston SC Politics & Civic News — Page 8

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.

City Council County Council SC Senate SC House US Congress Elections Civic Issues
POLITICS NOW
POLITICSCharleston Mayor Lays Out Daniel Island Growth and Traffic Plans ◆ POLITICSSC Early Voting Opens With Nearly 98,000 First-Day Ballots ◆ POLITICSTrump Rallies for Graham as SC Senate Race Moves to Lean GOP ◆ POLITICSSC 2026 Ballot Guide: Governor, Senate and the 1st District ◆ POLITICSAtwood Crosses District 110 on Foot and Water in Charleston ◆ POLITICSSeven Early Voting Sites Open Monday Across Charleston County ◆ POLITICSClarendon Poll Closures Test South Carolina Voting Law ◆ POLITICSTrump Rallies South Carolina Voters for Darline Graham ◆ POLITICSOutside Probe Questions Beaufort County CFO Exit in Beaufort ◆ POLITICSForecasters See Tighter Lacore vs. Honeycutt Race in SC-1 ◆ POLITICSGovernor Awards Order of the Palmetto for Gullah Craft ◆ POLITICSCofC Students Train as Charleston Poll Workers ◆

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.

Live Updates

HERE! NOW! — Politics

Pre-Breaking Political Briefs — As It Develops
Live Political Feed HERE Charleston · Politics Category
Oct 22 Charleston Mayor Lays Out Daniel Island Growth and Traffic Plans
Oct 21 SC Early Voting Opens With Nearly 98,000 First-Day Ballots
Oct 22 Clarendon Poll Closures Test South Carolina Voting Law
Oct 22 Trump Rallies South Carolina Voters for Darline Graham
Oct 21 Trump Rallies for Graham as SC Senate Race Moves to Lean GOP
Tip line: See something? Send tips to [email protected] or tag us #CharlestonPolitics
Community Accountability
What's Wrong HERE?
Report infrastructure issues, government failures, and civic concerns

Report a Civic Issue

Anonymous. No sign-up. Your report goes to the right people.

1 Category
2 Where is it?
0/200
3 Describe the Issue
0/120
0/500

100% anonymous — no name, no email, no account needed

HOW IT WORKS

Your Voice. Their Responsibility.

The only local news platform where citizens can publicly surface issues to elected officials and get answers.

1
Report Your Issue
Select a category, choose your location, and describe the problem. No sign-up, no email, completely anonymous. Your identity is never collected or stored.
2
We Match You to Officials
Our system identifies which elected officials and government agencies have jurisdiction over your issue — from the Mayor and City Council to your State Representative and U.S. Congressman.
3
Public Accountability
Your issue is published publicly with the names of officials who can help. Politicians, campaign managers, and community leaders monitor this page. When their name appears next to a problem, they pay attention.
Why Use This?
It's anonymous. No name, no email, no account. Your privacy is absolute.
It creates a public record. Issues don't disappear into a voicemail box or email inbox. They're visible to the entire community.
Officials are watching. Every elected official in Charleston knows their name appears here when constituents report problems in their jurisdiction.
Community upvoting. Other residents can upvote your issue, showing officials how many people care about the same problem.

HERE Answers

Civic issues submitted by the community. Answers pending from officials.

No issues reported yet. Be the first to speak up.

Community Voice

Charleston Speaks

Voice your opinion on local political issues
POLITICS 418 responses

What do you think: Charleston Mayor Lays Out Daniel Island Growth and Traffic Plans?

Strongly support — this is overdue 31%
Cautious support — depends on the details 23%
Skeptical — need to see the cost first 22%
Oppose — not the right direction for Charleston 24%
Based on our coverage · October 22, 2026
NATIONAL 361 responses

What do you think: Russia Frees Jailed Michigan Man After Trump Appeal to Putin?

Strongly support — this is overdue 32%
Cautious support — depends on the details 23%
Skeptical — need to see the cost first 21%
Oppose — not the right direction for Charleston 24%
Based on our coverage · October 21, 2026
Political Coverage

Local & State Political News

Charleston, Charleston County, & South Carolina Capitol
All Political News →
Charleston Mayor Lays Out Daniel Island Growth and Traffic Plans
Oct 22, 2026
Charleston Mayor Lays Out Daniel Island Growth and Traffic Plans
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Traffic jams, flooding and the pace of new construction dominated a Tuesday night forum on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina, where Mayor William Cogswell told residents of the Cainhoy Peninsula the city is trying to steer growth rather than cheer it on. Roughly 100 people came to the Daniel Island Recreation
SC Early Voting Opens With Nearly 98,000 First-Day Ballots
Oct 21, 2026
SC Early Voting Opens With Nearly 98,000 First-Day Ballots
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina voters wasted little time once in-person early ballots became available for the 2026 general election, with 97,968 people casting ballots statewide on Monday, Oct. 19, according to a turnout report from state election officials. The heaviest opening-day traffic came from the state's largest counties. Charleston County led with 9,389 voters,
Trump Rallies for Graham as SC Senate Race Moves to Lean GOP
Oct 21, 2026
Trump Rallies for Graham as SC Senate Race Moves to Lean GOP
CLEMSON, S.C. — President Donald Trump heads to the Upstate on Wednesday night to campaign for U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, a stop that comes one day after a national election handicapper moved South Carolina's Senate race a notch closer to a toss-up. The 7 p.m. rally is set for the T. Ed Garrison arena, a
SC 2026 Ballot Guide: Governor, Senate and the 1st District
Oct 21, 2026
SC 2026 Ballot Guide: Governor, Senate and the 1st District
COLUMBIA, S.C. — With early voting open, South Carolina voters are deciding three contests that will shape the state for years: an open governor's office, a U.S. Senate seat drawing national attention and a coastal U.S. House district both parties think they can win. Governor. For the first time since 2017, the state will get
Clarendon Poll Closures Test South Carolina Voting Law
Oct 22, 2026 · SC Statewide · HERE Columbia
Clarendon Poll Closures Test South Carolina Voting Law
Via HERE Columbia: MANNING, S.C. — With early voting underway for the Nov. 3 general election, a fight over shuttered polling places in rural Clarendon County is raising a statewide question: who gets to decide where South Carolinians cast their ballots. The county Board of Voter Registration and Elections voted at meetings in June and August to close […]
Trump Rallies South Carolina Voters for Darline Graham
Oct 22, 2026 · SC Statewide · HERE Columbia
Trump Rallies South Carolina Voters for Darline Graham
Via HERE Columbia: PENDLETON, S.C. — President Donald Trump came to the Upstate on Wednesday to shore up Sen. Darline Graham, drawing a crowd to the T. Ed Garrison arena less than two weeks before South Carolina picks its next U.S. senator. Trump told the crowd that Graham is smart, widely respected and would not let voters down, […]
Outside Probe Questions Beaufort County CFO Exit in Beaufort
Oct 22, 2026 · SC Statewide · HERE Beaufort
Outside Probe Questions Beaufort County CFO Exit in Beaufort
Via HERE Beaufort: BEAUFORT, S.C. — An outside investigation ordered by Beaufort County Council has found that the county could not back up most of the reasons it gave for parting ways with former Chief Financial Officer Pinky Harriott. The Quick Group, a Charleston-area investigative firm hired over the summer, released a 14-page report on Tuesday, Oct. 20. […]
Atwood Crosses District 110 on Foot and Water in Charleston
Oct 20, 2026
Atwood Crosses District 110 on Foot and Water in Charleston
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A candidate for State House District 110 spent the first day of early voting covering his Charleston-area district the hard way, on foot and by water, in a trip of more than 20 miles. KJ Atwood, a Mount Pleasant small business owner, started at 7 a.m. Monday on a route he billed
Evergreen Guides
Political Resource Center
Civic education & voter resources for Charleston County residents
🗳️
Voter Registration Guide
How to register in South Carolina, key deadlines, and what to expect at the polls. Photo ID required.
Register at scvotes.gov →
🗺️
Find Your District
Look up your SC Senate, House, and Congressional districts after the latest redistricting.
Find your rep →
Elected Officials

Your Charleston Reps

Every official with a vote on Charleston's future — pulled live from our roster.

SC State Senate — Charleston County
State Senate
Ed Sutton
State Senator
District 20
D
State Senate
Matthew W. "Matt" Leber
State Senator
District 41
R
State Senate
Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms
State Senator
District 37
R
State Senate
Brian Adams
State Senator
District 44
R
State Senate
Margie Bright Matthews
State Senator
District 45
D
State Senate
George E. "Chip" Campsen III
State Senator
District 43
R
State Senate
Deon T. Tedder
State Senator
District 42
D
SC House of Representatives — Charleston County
State House
Leonidas E. "Leon" Stavrinakis
State Representative
District 119
D
State House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
State Representative
District 99
R
State House
Elizabeth "Spencer" Wetmore
State Representative
District 115
D
State House
Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
State Representative
District 114
R
State House
Carl L. Anderson
State Representative
District 103
D
State House
Wendell G. Gilliard
State Representative
District 111
D
State House
James E. Teeple
State Representative
District 116
R
State House
Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr.
State Representative
District 110
R
US Congress — SC
US House
Nancy Mace
US Representative
SC District 1
R
US House
James Clyburn
US Representative
SC District 6
D
US Senate
US Senate
Darline Graham
US Senator
South Carolina
R
US Senate
Tim Scott
US Senator
South Carolina
R
HERE Charleston · Free Newsletter

HERE Politics Brief

Local government news, voting alerts, and civic updates — free every weekday morning for Charleston County residents.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Delivered by HERE Charleston.
Quick Access

Quick Resources

Official links for Charleston County civic engagement
Charleston City Council Agendas → Charleston County Council → South Carolina General Assembly → Find Your US Rep → City of Charleston Official Site → Rep. Nancy Mace · SC District 1 → Sen. Darline Graham · US → Sen. Tim Scott · US →
@HERECityNetwork Live Feed
Follow →
Follow the conversation #CharlestonPolitics — tag @HERECityNetwork to be heard Submit a Tip → [email protected]
HERE City Network

POLITICS NEWS NEAR CHARLESTON SC

Politics coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.
Beaufort SCHilton Head Island SCSavannah GAMyrtle Beach SCFlorence SCColumbia SCLexington SCIrmo SCAiken SCChapin SC
SPONSOR | Your Business Here — Be the brand Charleston's Politics community sees first every morning. Exclusive top-of-section placement, Monday–Friday.
SPONSOR $199/MO →

Charleston is in Charleston County, South Carolina. Mayor: William S. Cogswell Jr.; Mayor Pro Tem: Karl L. Brady Jr..

Latest Charleston Politics News — Page 8

  1. SC hosts annual Governor’s Veterans’ Affairs Summit

    The South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs is holding its annual Governor's Summit on Veterans' Affairs today, Friday, September 4, in Columbia. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m.…

  2. Upstate SC Faces Dangerous Triple-Digit Heat Index

    Upstate South Carolina is experiencing a period of high temperatures, with heat indices projected to reach triple digits. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about dangerous heat…

  3. Charleston commercial real estate stalls on high costs

    The commercial real estate transaction market in Charleston and across the nation is experiencing a stall, despite a narrowing gap between buyer and seller price expectations. High borrowing…

  4. Emery Stallings ranks high in volleyball stats

    Emery Stallings, a student athlete at Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston, has achieved notable rankings in volleyball statistics for the 2026-27 season. Stallings is recognized in…

  5. Algal Blooms Pose Health Risks in South Carolina Waters

    Algal blooms, similar to the one observed in Washington D.C.'s Reflecting Pool this summer, have been reported across South Carolina, prompting warnings about potential health risks. These blooms,…

  6. Charleston Metro Leads Nation in New Construction

    The Charleston-North Charleston metropolitan area has been ranked as the top metro in the nation for new construction, according to a report released on August 31, 2026. This…

  7. SC Ports studies deepening North Charleston Terminal channel

    South Carolina Ports and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have initiated a feasibility study to explore additional channel depth for the North Charleston Terminal. This agreement, signed…

  8. SC Ports, Army Corps study deepening Charleston Harbor

    Charleston, SC — South Carolina Ports and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a feasibility study agreement on Monday, August 31, for a project to deepen the…

  9. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Proposed for Tour Championship

    Charleston area golf enthusiasts are weighing in on future venues for the PGA Tour's Tour Championship, with Kiawah Island Golf Resort among the courses suggested by readers for…

  10. Charleston Co. plans aerial mosquito spraying Sunday

    Charleston County officials are scheduled to conduct aerial pesticide spraying for adult mosquitoes early Sunday, August 30, following confirmed human cases of West Nile virus within the county.…

  11. N. Charleston High tennis courts crumble after dedication

    Tennis courts at North Charleston High School, dedicated three years ago by professional tennis star Madison Keys, are now in disrepair, impacting the school's newly formed girls' tennis…

  12. Burke High School Boosts Programs to Attract Students

    Charleston County School District leaders and alumni of Burke High School are working to enhance the historic downtown Charleston institution's legacy. This effort comes as the school's new…