Your SC politics briefing

Welcome to your weekly South Carolina politics briefing, a newsletter curated by The State’s politics and government team.

Hurricane Ian’s path is headed toward South Carolina.

The National Weather Service in Columbia office is forecasting heavy rain and wind speeds of up to 60 mph for parts of the Midlands today.

The NWS warned that flooding is possible, especially in the eastern parts of the area that will be worst hit as Ian passes over later Friday. Up to 6 inches of rain is forecast for the area, with wind speeds of 50-60 mph.

On the coast, state officials have warned of life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions.

Gov. Henry McMaster has ordered a state of emergency for South Carolina, but stopped short of ordering evacuations or lane reversals.

“We know this is going to be a serious storm. ... We know we can handle this if we use our heads and follow the rules,” McMaster said Thursday. “Don’t be a statistic.”

Stick with The State for the latest on Ian’s path and impact by clicking here.

(Photo via The State’s Joshua Boucher)

More restrictive abortion ban doomed

Efforts to pass more restrictive abortion legislation in the SC State House are almost certainly doomed after the House this week rejected a proposal that would ban abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy but would allow a narrow exception for abortions in cases of sexual assault up to about 12 weeks.

The House voted 95-11 to send H. 5399 to the negotiating table among six legislators — three House members and three senators — to hash out their differences.

Many of the House’s more conservative members have pushed for a near-total ban on abortions in the state, saying that a six-week ban is not restrictive enough. But their Senate counterparts have indicated they are not likely to approve any ban on abortions under six weeks of pregnancy.

Soon after the House vote, Senate President Thomas Alexander made it clear: The House’s move Tuesday “makes passing any version of H.5399 almost impossible.”

(Photo via The State’s Tracy Glantz)

SC health director remarks on COVID, New-Indy

Since taking control at the state’s environmental and health agency more than 18 months ago, Edward Simmer has faced a challenge trying to wrestle COVID-19 to the ground.

But while he expected the long hours and pressure of battling a contagious disease unlike any ever seen before, one thing continues to surprise him: how political the coronavirus issue became nationally and in South Carolina.

In an interview with The State this week, Simmer said politics that penetrated the fight made it imperative that his agency provide clear, accurate information to the public.

“The politicization of public health over the past two years has been both surprising and very unfortunate,’’ Simmer said. “It’s harmed our mission. It’s made it more difficult for people to get accurate information.‘’

Simmer also told The State that a paper mill in York County misled the department when the company shut down a pollution control device that could have limited powerful odors in suburban Charlotte.

(Photo via The State’s Tracy Glantz)

Gov endorsements stack up

The SC governor’s race is heating up with a little more than a month left until the November election.

This week, the SC Education Association’s political action committee endorsed Joe Cunningham over Gov. Henry McMaster.

“It’s past time for South Carolina to have an education governor,” Cunningham said. “For too long, Gov. McMaster has abandoned our schools and ignored our teachers. I will never turn my back on our teachers because you are worth everything we can give you and then some.”

McMaster’s campaign criticized the association and Cunningham’s stance against reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is absolutely no surprise to see Joe Cunningham finally formalize an election-year deal with a union, instead of standing up for the best interests of children and parents,” McMaster’s campaign said.

Meanwhile, a sizeable number of law enforcement officials put their support behind McMaster’s bid.

One of them was Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, a Democrat.

Lott is one of 32 sheriffs and 10 solicitors backing McMaster’s reelection.

“Gov. McMaster’s experience as a prosecutor makes him the kind of uncommonly strong partner we can trust to help us do our jobs,” Lott said.

(Photo via The State’s Joseph Bustos)

Buzz Bites

▪ South Carolina schools grappling with unprecedented demand for youth mental health services will soon get an assist from the University of South Carolina. A program designed by USC psychology faculty will give teachers, school counselors and other school staff access to a cadre of trained child mental health experts and behavioral health resources intended to help them better support student mental health in their schools.

▪ The South Carolina law firm behind the Rockstar Cheer lawsuit has filed a new suit in Tennessee alleging that a cheerleading gym turned a blind eye to a star coach’s abuse of two young cheerleaders.

▪ A POLITICO congressional reporter tweeted that US Sen. Lindsey Graham spoke to House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy about making sure Republicans still send support to Ukraine if the GOP takes control of the House.

▪ A special election was called for the Horry County GOP to pick replacements for the five-person leadership team that announced its resignations two weeks ago. They cited months of political infighting and a growing rift with the state Republican apparatus. All went according to plan until the meeting started.

▪ US Sen. Tim Scott will be back in Iowa Oct. 8 for an Iowa GOP event, CBS News’ Robert Costa tweeted. Scott is running for reelection for what he says will be his last term. He’s so far been mum on 2024, but the Iowa visit is among several he’s made to early-voting states that are important to the presidential nominating contest.

(Photo via AP)

Mark your calendar

Oct. 3

South Carolina congressional redistricting trial begins

Oct. 5

SC Senate panel meets to get DJJ update, 10 a.m.

Oct. 11

SC lieutenant governor televised debate, 8 p.m.

Oct. 19

Oral argument in SC Supreme Court challenge to fetal heartbeat law

Oct. 24

Early voting for SC’s general election starts

Oct. 26

SC governor’s race televised debate, 7 p.m.

Nov. 2

SC superintendent candidate televised debate, 7 p.m.

Nov. 8

SC’s general election

(Photo via The State’s Tracy Glantz)

Before we adjourn

William Fairfax, a Claflin University graduate who worked on Joe Biden’s presidential campaign in South Carolina and later joined the administration, died Sept. 9. He was 24.

An obituary for Fairfax said he died of natural causes at his home in Washington.

“A spectacular and inspiring human being, William dedicated his entire life to uplifting all those around him and to living the highest values of his faith, family, and our nation,” his obit said.

A funeral service was held last week in Maryland. POLITICO reported that letters from President Biden and first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff were read at the service. So were letters from former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Fairfax worked on Biden’s South Carolina campaign, and as part of his work Fairfax spoke to reporters about Biden and why he believed the now-president deserved to be in the White House. Fairfax later joined the administration, working for FEMA and as Harris’ press assistant.

(Photo via The State’s Tracy Glantz)

Pulling the newsletter together this week was Maayan Schechter (My-yahn Schek-ter), senior editor of the The State’s politics and state government team.

You can keep up with her on Twitter and send her tips on Twitter at @MaayanSchechter or by email mschechter@thestate.com. To stay on top of South Carolina politics and election news, you can chat with us on Facebook, email us tips and follow our stories at scpolitics.com.