AGP Executive Report

Senate Race: South Carolina’s U.S. Senate contest is a dead heat: a New York Times/Siena poll puts Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews at 48% each, while a state poll found them at 47% and 46%. The state poll showed Republican Alan Wilson leading the governor’s race, 51% to 41%. State Finances: Candidates for treasurer are vying to lead the office as a federal securities investigation examines years of accounting errors in state records. Edgefield Investment: Amick Farms plans to spend $54.78 million on a Trenton hatchery, creating 40 jobs and capacity to hatch more than 1.5 million eggs; operations are expected to begin in April 2027. Local Government: Three Hollywood council members want voters to consider replacing the strong-mayor system with a professional town administrator amid scrutiny of the town’s finances. In Simpsonville, council advanced a proposal to stop using Flock license-plate cameras, with an initial approval vote set for Nov. 10. Voters’ Concerns: Upstate residents named inflation, living costs, roads, housing and education among their top election issues.

Senate Race: South Carolina’s tight Senate contest is drawing fresh attention as Republican Darline Graham rallies support in Aiken and Democrat Annie Andrews courts voters who may write in Ralph Norman. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance are also expected in the Carolinas to campaign for Republicans. Port Growth: SC Ports says it cut expenses by 20% and is now focused on expanding manufacturing cargo and attracting more consumer goods and refrigerated shipments; Inland Port Greer is part of the growth strategy. Education and Economy: A USC study estimates reaching the state’s “Drive to 75” student achievement goal could generate as much as $207.9 billion in added economic activity over 35 years. Rural Hospital Security: South Carolina and federal officials launched a six-month pilot offering cybersecurity support to rural hospitals, including help replacing outdated devices and keeping care running after attacks. Jobs and Investment: SteelFab plans to invest $30 million in its Columbia facility and add 100 jobs in Richland County.

Senate Showdown: South Carolina’s tight U.S. Senate race is drawing unusual cross-party support: former Republican governors David Beasley and Mark Sanford? No — the articles name former governors Mark Sanford? They specifically say Beasley and Hodges. Former governors Jim Hodges and? The source text says Beasley and Hodges. Annie Andrews has their backing, while Republican Rep. Ralph Norman says he won’t help Sen. Darline Graham in the final stretch, criticizing President Trump’s efforts to boost her. Trump plans a Rock Hill rally Thursday for state Republicans. Jobs and Investment: SteelFab plans a $30 million Columbia facility, expected to create 100 jobs by the end of 2026. The Commerce Department will also hold a free Nov. 5 Clover workshop on financing, state resources and government contracting for small businesses. Education and Infrastructure: SC State has broken ground on a $30.3 million library, and Columbia’s ransomware attack disrupted some city online services as officials investigate.

Senate Race: Annie Andrews rallied voters on St. Helena Island as Election Day nears, promising to focus on costs and health care. Former Republican Gov. David Beasley and Democratic former Gov. Jim Hodges endorsed her bid against Sen. Darline Graham, while President Trump plans another campaign stop with Graham in Rock Hill on Thursday. Local Elections: Horry County candidates courted voters Monday as early voting continued; more than 4,000 people voted at one county site last week. Greenville Development: City Council approved $10.8 million from its parking fund for land purchases tied to a planned downtown conference district, with construction expected to start in early 2027. Federal Sentencing: A judge in Columbia sentenced Herb Kimble to 20 years in prison for leading a healthcare fraud scheme that cost taxpayers $1.2 billion. Higher Education: South Carolina State broke ground on a $30.3 million library project.

Columbia Cyberattack: Officials confirmed a ransomware attack disrupted some city services and involved sensitive data; departments are using alternate procedures while SLED and cybersecurity specialists investigate. Senate Race: Former governors David Beasley, a Republican, and Jim Hodges, a Democrat, jointly endorsed Annie Andrews, a rare bipartisan show of support as she challenges Sen. Darline Graham. Campaign Trail: President Trump is set to return to South Carolina for a Thursday rally in Rock Hill as early voting continues through Oct. 31. State Finances: Comptroller general candidates Tiffany Boozer and Mike Burkhold say they would improve public access to state spending reports, an issue sharpened by the office’s past $3.5 billion accounting error. Data Centers: South Carolina lawmakers are preparing rules for a 2027 debate over data centers’ demands on power and water, with proposals including water recycling and greater disclosure. Upstate Business: Illinois-based Hoffmann Family of Companies has acquired Greenville transportation firm Champion Coach.

Economic Development: Latrobe Magnesium signed a nonbinding agreement to buy 250 acres at Colleton Megasite for a proposed 50,000-tonne-a-year magnesium plant, with a $5 million purchase price and no upfront payment under the letter of intent. Campaign Trail: With Election Day approaching, Rep. Mark Willis endorsed Rick Shealy for S.C. House District 14. President Trump also rallied in Clemson for Senate candidate Darline Graham, drawing protests and praising a rallygoer who punched a protester. Nuclear Energy: Westinghouse plans to invest $1 billion to expand its nuclear-fuel operations in Richland County, adding to regional plans for a nuclear power buildout. Cybersecurity: SLED identified a ransomware attack behind a cybersecurity incident in Columbia.

Jobs and Economy: South Carolina was one of only two states to post statistically significant job growth in September, even as national hiring remained sluggish and layoffs stayed low. Nuclear Industry: Westinghouse is expanding its Richland County nuclear-fuel operations with a planned $1 billion investment. Senate Race: Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews are campaigning on costs and policy, while President Trump rallied for Graham in Clemson. Charleston Travel: Air Canada has dropped its Charleston route amid a broader U.S. pullback, citing consistently low passenger demand. Higher Education: South Carolina State University broke ground on a $30.3 million library aimed at supporting student learning.

Gamecocks: South Carolina stunned No. 11 Tennessee, 27-24, on a last-second field goal. Fans stormed the field, triggering a $500,000 SEC fine. Election 2026: Trump campaigned in Clemson for Senate hopeful Darline Graham as early voting continues and polls show a tight race with Democrat Annie Andrews. Industry: Volkswagen plans to expand its Scout Motors plant in Blythewood, adding capacity for 25,000 vehicles a year; the model has not been announced. Cybersecurity: SLED says a ransomware attack hit Columbia’s computer systems. Gov. Henry McMaster is set to announce a pilot program Monday to strengthen cybersecurity at rural hospitals. Nuclear Energy: Westinghouse announced a $1 billion expansion of its Richland County fuel facility.

Cybersecurity: SLED confirmed a ransomware attack on Columbia’s network, affecting public-facing services and potentially involving sensitive data; police, 911, fire and utility operations remain available. Gov. Henry McMaster is set to announce a rural-hospital cybersecurity pilot in Newberry on Monday. Senate Race: South Carolina’s Senate contest is drawing fresh national attention as Democrats see momentum and both sides ramp up spending. Trump recently campaigned for Republican Darline Graham, while early voting has surged in the Midlands. Nuclear Investment: Westinghouse plans a $1 billion expansion in Richland County, including a new advanced-fuel plant expected to begin operating in 2030. The project is backed by state job-development credits. Higher Education: South Carolina State University has broken ground on a roughly $30 million library intended to support student learning.

Senate Race: Annie Andrews and Darline Graham are trading attacks in South Carolina’s closely watched Senate contest, while a write-in effort for Republican Ralph Norman could complicate Graham’s support. Graham Documentary: A new film features three men alleging the late Sen. Lindsey Graham paid for sex, including one who says he was 17; the claims have not been independently verified, and Graham died in July. Voting: Early voting is drawing long lines as some voters report touchscreen problems, but officials say there’s no evidence of widespread vote switching. Business and Education: Westinghouse has announced a $1 billion Richland County expansion, while Boeing’s first Air Astana Dreamliner is undergoing flight tests in Charleston. SC State also broke ground on a $30.3 million library and honors college.

South Carolina Senate Race: President Donald Trump campaigned in the Upstate for Republican Darline Graham as she faces Democrat Annie Andrews. Republican real estate developer Warren Norman says he will not vote for Graham, criticizing her alliance with Trump. Claims About Late Senator: A Young Turks documentary features three men alleging Lindsey Graham paid them for sex, including one who says he was 17. The claims have not been independently verified; Graham died in July. Voting: Voters in South Carolina and other states have reported touchscreen problems during early voting. Reports of vote-flipping do not, by themselves, indicate election rigging. Clemson Costs: Clemson University offered buyouts to 452 employees who meet age or pension criteria, with a payout of nine months’ base salary. Business and Growth: Westinghouse plans a $1 billion investment in a South Carolina nuclear fuel plant. Air Canada is also dropping its Toronto–Charleston nonstop route for summer 2027. Conservation: Gov. Henry McMaster created a commission to coordinate efforts to preserve South Carolina’s land, wildlife and historic sites.

Senate Race: Trump campaigned in the Upstate for Republican Darline Graham as South Carolina’s Senate contest tightens. At the Clemson-area rally, he praised a supporter who punched a protester, drawing criticism. Nearly 300,000 South Carolinians had voted early by Oct. 22, though officials say turnout alone doesn’t predict the result. Nuclear Investment: Westinghouse plans to invest $1 billion in its Richland County facility, expanding production of nuclear fuel and adding to South Carolina’s advanced-manufacturing footprint. Charleston Flights: Air Canada will end its Toronto–Charleston route in summer 2027, eliminating the city’s only nonstop service to Canada. Land Conservation: Gov. Henry McMaster created a commission to coordinate preservation efforts as he pursues a goal of protecting 10 million acres by 2050; about 3.4 million acres are currently protected. Graham Documentary: A new film includes allegations from three men who say they had paid sexual encounters with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Their claims have not been independently corroborated.

Senate Showdown: Trump campaigned in Clemson for Sen. Darline Graham as her race against Democrat Annie Andrews tightens; the rally was interrupted by protesters, and Trump praised a supporter who allegedly punched one. Rep. Ralph Norman says he’ll vote for Graham but won’t campaign with her, and his family won’t support her. Nuclear Investment: Westinghouse plans a $1 billion expansion of its Richland County facility to produce next-generation nuclear fuel, a major boost to the state’s energy industry. Ports & Industry: The first Isuzu container has arrived at Inland Port Greer, adding a new business milestone for South Carolina’s freight network. Food Costs: A nonprofit will distribute 13,200 pounds of rice across the Carolinas; South Carolina food banks estimate one in seven residents lives in a food-insecure household.

Senate Race: Trump rallied in Pendleton for Republican Darline Graham, whose contest with Democrat Annie Andrews has grown unexpectedly competitive. The event was repeatedly disrupted by protesters, and Trump praised a supporter who appeared to punch one. Nuclear Investment: Westinghouse is building a $1 billion Richland County plant to make advanced nuclear fuel, with production expected to begin in 2030. Manufacturing: Isuzu’s first production-equipment container has moved from the Port of Charleston to Inland Port Greer, advancing the company’s planned Greenville County production base. Nestlé is also shifting frozen-food production from Ohio to its Gaffney site; 370 Ohio jobs are affected. Early Voting: Nearly 98,000 South Carolinians voted on the first day, while Midlands turnout was reported at double the 2022 opening-day pace.

Nuclear Investment: Westinghouse plans to spend $1 billion on a new Richland County factory producing advanced nuclear fuel, with operations expected to begin in 2030. Senate Race: President Donald Trump rallied in Pendleton for Republican Darline Graham as she faces Democrat Annie Andrews in a race now drawing more attention and outside spending. Manufacturing: Nestlé plans to shift production from its Ohio factory to South Carolina; the closure is expected to eliminate about 370 manufacturing jobs in Solon. Charleston Startups: Catalyst by Beemok will offer winning founders up to $2 million in investment at its Nov. 12 pitch competition. Preservation: Public and private groups have secured the Bates House and nearly 11 acres in Greenville County, protecting a site tied to the region’s early textile industry.

Election 2026: Early voting is underway across South Carolina, with nearly 98,000 ballots cast on the first Monday and York County reporting nearly 6,000 voters on opening day—more than triple its 2022 pace. The governor’s race is drawing a sharp fundraising gap: Republican Alan Wilson raised $2.5 million in the latest reporting period, compared with more than $867,000 for Democrat Jermaine Johnson. Trump Visit: The president is expected at a Clemson-area rally to boost Sen. Darline Graham as South Carolina’s Senate race draws national attention. Jobs: South Carolina led the states in September payroll growth, up 0.5%, according to a monthly employment update. Business: Nestlé plans to shift production from its Ohio factory to South Carolina as it gradually closes the plant. Local Decisions: North Myrtle Beach officials rejected Amazon’s proposed drone-delivery launch site after residents raised concerns about noise, safety and neighborhood impacts.