South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick touts GOP wins in the Palmetto State Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, following the 2024 general election, at GOP headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)
COLUMBIA — The first debate between Republicans running for governor in South Carolina will be two weeks later than previously announced.
The kickoff GOP primary debate will be April 1 at Newberry Opera House, the state Republican Party announced Tuesday.
That’s instead of March 17 at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, as announced in late December.
In an email, the party cited “a variety of scheduling conflicts involving venues and candidates” to explain the change, without being specific.
“We appreciate everyone’s flexibility as we work to ensure these debates are accessible, well-organized, and beneficial to Republican voters across our state,” state party Chairman Drew McKissick said in the email.
The initial schedule set the first debate the day after candidate filing opens. Now it’s moved to two days after the filing period closes.
The next two debates will continue on the original schedule: April 21 at the College of Charleston and on May 26 at Wofford College in Spartanburg.
A fourth debate would still happen June 16 in the likely event of a runoff. But the locations have been swapped. Instead of Newberry Opera House, the debate mid-way between the primary and runoff would be at Coastal Carolina University.
In South Carolina, runoffs are required if no candidate wins at least 50% plus one vote in a primary.
Five Republicans have announced bids to replace Gov. Henry McMaster, who can’t seek re-election.
They are Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Two Democrats are running for governor: state Rep. Jermaine Johnson of Richland County and Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod.
Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
