THANK YOU!!!

It was a rainy Saturday, but that didn't stop us from gathering with USC students at the Seek First Civic Discourse Forum. I enjoyed being part of the conversation focused on how we can all better work together to shape South Carolina's future. Thank you to Jackson, Elijah, and Grace for all your hard work to set this up, to our moderator Dr. Christopher Tollefsen, and to all the students who asked such great questions.

First in the Nation means a lot of eyes will be on South Carolina over the next 16 months. We’re going to do everything we can to bring as many voices to Senate District 26 as possible. Come be a part of the discussion with Congressman Ro Khanna on October 4!

Heads up for those that travel down Meeting Street in West Columbia. This is a great project by the City that will enhance safety and make usability of Meeting St better for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. It will also help with efforts being made to improve the historic Gervais Street Bridge! thestate.com/news/traffic/ar…

It’s hard to believe 25 years have come and gone. We all know exactly where we were and what we were doing when so many innocent lives were lost. “We will never forget” has become the tag line but I hope we all take some time today to reflect on why it’s so important we don’t.

Good things are happening in Calhoun County. Yesterday Red Rock Development broke ground on their third facility at the Sandy Run Industrial Park, bringing more jobs to our community. Investments like these help our local schools, opens opportunities for the next generation, and supports our existing small businesses. 💪

I had a great time out at Steel Hands on Saturday as the City of Cayce welcomed Thomas Dambo, a world-renowned artist from the country of Denmark.

How hard was that? House and Senate leadership finally reached a deal to fund local needs and the plan moving forward makes sense. thestate.com/news/politics-g…

Last night we celebrated Mom and Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary 8/7/76. The laughs and stories went late into the night (many of which Mom wished had been forgotten) and were all a testament to a good life shared and built together. Proud of them!

Great discussion at the inaugural SC Energy Summit this week. South Carolina's continued growth means we have to be planning for the future—making sure we have reliable, affordable energy to support our families, businesses, and communities. Thank you to South Carolina Manufacturers & Commerce for hosting us.

Proud of my good friend McKinley Till who won Top Chef 2026 at SC Farm Bureau’s 17th Annual Palmetto Palate. McKinley is from right here in Calhoun County and is the owner and head chef of Palmetto Peach Catering as well as Smoke ‘Em Barbeque in Saint Matthews. It was stiff competition with chefs from Black Rooster, Blue Marlin, Dupre Catering and Events, Hall’s Chophouse, Manchester Quail, Mediterranean Café, Peculiar Pig, Savage Craft and The War Mouth, but McKinley’s Mahi Wellington won the night. I personally think it all came together because of the assist he got from Madelyn Till. Congrats, y’all!

It was great to join the Lexington Chamber for their Legislative Recap last week. I’m proud to be a member of the Lexington Delegation and always proud to support our local businesses.

It is unacceptable that Lexington County, one of the largest in the state, ended up with only one early voting location for the multiple runoff elections taking place right now.  I and other members of the delegation want to assure everyone that we will find out how and why this happened, and will do everything we can to make sure there is accountability for it.

EARLY VOTING UPDATE IN LEXINGTON COUNTY — PLEASE SHARE Lexington County has just ONE early voting location for the runoff elections: Lexington County Voter Registration Office 605 West Main Street Lexington, SC 29072 Polls are open TODAY and TOMORROW from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Remember to bring your Driver’s License or other government-issued photo ID.

If you’re driving on I-20 this afternoon, please be careful. Slow down, pay attention, and watch out for DOT crews at work.

Loved getting together with Sustain SC for its final legislative policy briefing of the 2026 legislative session. We had a thoughtful discussion about several issues currently impacting South Carolina, including redistricting, economic development, data centers, infrastructure, and other challenges and opportunities facing our growing state.

One thing I learned this weekend: folks are paying attention. From the Blue Palmetto Dinner to welcoming Gov. Andy Beshear at Heyward AME, I had the chance to hear from people who care deeply about where South Carolina is headed. Record early voting turnout tells me people want a seat at the table. That's exactly how it ought to be.

Hope y’all can join us on Saturday! I appreciate Governor Beshear’s willingness to come have a conversation with people in our community. It’s my hope that over the next few years more leaders will come to SC to foster meaningful discussions on the issues that matter to all of us.

Thank you to everyone that showed up at the polls today! In spite of the rain we have seen a record-breaking number of South Carolinians casting their primary ballot on the first day of early voting. Today the SC Senate ended Washington, DC’s push to change the rules in the middle of the game and reaffirmed our commitment to fair elections. For many of us, this was never about opposition to redistricting, it is about redistricting on terms set by South Carolinians. It is only because you made your voices heard that this outcome was possible. I am proud of my home state every day, but especially so on a day like this when the best of South Carolina shines through.

I want to remind everyone that early voting starts in South Carolina tomorrow morning — please make plans to vote as early as possible! Also, the South Carolina State Senate is meeting tomorrow at 11 am in special session to continue debating the redistricting proposal being pushed from Washington, DC. The issue isn’t decided, but it’s clear at this point that by the time it is, thousands upon thousands of ballots will have been cast. I have heard from so many of you, and I am so thankful that you’ve shared your thoughts with me. Democrats and Republicans alike are opposed to reapportionment at this time because it just doesn’t make sense. Period. Regardless of what happens, this should serve as an important reminder why our votes matter so much. Far too many people are sitting these elections out and our state and our country can’t afford it any longer. Encourage everyone you know to go vote and stay engaged!