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SC Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to make ‘special announcement’ next week

Originally published by WIS News 10 Staff and Patrick Phillips on July 7, 2025

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/WCSC) – South Carolina’s lieutenant governor, who has been expected to enter the governor’s race, is set to make a special announcement early next week.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette invited supporters to the announcement on July 14 at The Smokestack at Judson Mill in Greenville, WIS-TV reported.

The invitation was not clear about the reason for the announcement, but Evette has been considered a likely candidate for the race to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster.

If Evette were to announce her campaign, she would be joining a Republican primary field that includes current South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and Upstate Sen. Josh Kimbrell.

McMaster, the longest-serving governor in state history, rose to the role from lieutenant governor when then-Gov. Nikki Haley stepped down to serve as an ambassador for the United Nations during the first Donald Trump administration in 2017. After he completed her term, McMaster was then elected to two full terms of his own.

An early poll conducted back in March gave Evette a slight edge over other Republicans considered at the time to be likely gubernatorial contenders. Evette pulled a 31% lead among those surveyed, compared to Wilson’s 27% of the vote.

First District Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who has not officially announced a run but said she was considering one back in January, came in second place in that poll at 29%, while Fifth District Congressman Ralph Norman came in with 11%.

On the other side of the ticket, Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson recently formed an exploratory committee around a possible run for governor.

‘Brilliant’ to ‘avoidable;’ SC lawmakers react after US strikes Iranian nuclear sites

By Perrin Moore, originally posted June 22, 2025 by ABC News 4

SOUTH CAROLINA (WCIV) — From gleeful celebrations, dutiful deference, and posts laden with American flag emojis to notable silence, continued doubt, and questions over lack of congressional approval, lawmakers from across the Palmetto State are offering their reactions to the US military’s bombing operation in the Middle East late Saturday night.

The strikes enacted under “Operation Midnight Hammer” targeted the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities in Iran, utilizing American B-2 stealth bombers and the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb, according to U.S. officials.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – JUNE 22: An operational timeline of a strike on Iran is displayed during a news conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. U.S. President Donald Trump gave an address to the nation last night after three Iranian nuclear facilities were struck by the U.S. military. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

US Senate

US Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott immediately voiced their support for President Donald Trump in the wake of the attacks. Graham has long offered full-throated support for escalation with Iran, saying that the decision to drop bombs Saturday was “the right call” and that “the regime deserves it.”

Sen. Graham joined Meet the Press Sunday morning and called the operation “bold, brilliant, and effective,” saying President Trump is “the right leader at the right time.” In a later post, Graham said he’s “never been more proud of President Trump.”

Sen. Scott, who was in Charleston Saturday night, labelled Trump’s actions as “decisive American leadership.”

“Americans and the world can thank President Trump for his courage to lead,” Scott concluded.

US House

Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01) unleashed a predictably enthusiastic flurry of star-spangled posts on her personal X account, with one of her first statements after reposting the President’s message saying “I really hope those bunker buster bombs were paid for using taxpayer dollars originally meant for DEI programs.”

The Lowcountry representative went on to post “USA! USA! USA!” and multiple clips of Fox News coverage of Trump’s 10 p.m. address, calling him the “greatest president in American history” and saying “God Bless the United States of America.”

The congresswoman wrote “Clean up on aisle Tehran” despite the nearest site hit, Fordow, being an almost 80-mile, two-hour drive from the Iranian capital, and “Who wants to bet a federal judge in California orders President Trump tomorrow morning to rebuild Iran’s nuclear program,” which has not happened as of noon Sunday.

On her official congressional X account, Mace thanked the President, saying there was “no greater friend and ally of Israel and the Jewish people” than him, called the attacks “history in the making,” and said that Trump “just reminded Iran and the whole world: THIS is America. Not the weakness we saw the past four years.”

Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07), a Republican, labelled the military action as “Peace through strength and promises kept” on his personal account, while reiterating the common refrain that “Iran CANNOT have a nuclear weapon” on his official account.

Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03), a combat veteran, expressed appreciation for the “precision and exceptionalism” of the US military and thanked the President, Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05)said Trump’s decision was a defense of democracy “around the world,” and Rep. William Timmons (SC-04), a captain in the Air National Guard, said the attacks sent a clear message that “the US will defend our interests and our allies.”

Republican Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) said that “enemies of America” insulted President Trump’s efforts in peace negotiations, instead pursuing “apocalyptic delusions.”

“Assad was warned in 2017. The Iranian regime was warned. War criminal Putin has been warned,” Wilson wrote. “President Trump will not hesitate to act when tested.”

Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-06), a Democrat who was notably silent online in the aftermath of the bombings save a Sunday morning post about the GI Bill, posted a statement on X later calling the President’s unilateral decision to attack without congressional approval “unconstitutional and unwise.”

“This move, a rash sequel to his withdrawal from the nuclear deal, puts our nation, our troops, and innocents at grave risk,” the congressman said. “Trump promised to be a peacemaker and vowed to avoid plunging the U.S. into more wars in the Middle East. This attack is inconsistent with his promise to the American people.”

State level

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster wrote on X that the attacks ensure “the safety of our nation and our allies like Israel,” and that he stands with American troops.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette thanked President Trump for “putting the safety of America and Americans FIRST!” and that the “goal of showing U.S. strength is peace.”

Attorney General Alan Wilson said he was “so proud” of the military and “leadership of President Trump.”

Local officials with military backgrounds like state senators Ed Sutton and Matt Leber differed on their opinions of the operation.

Sen. Sutton, an Air Force pilot and Democrat, decried the money war would cost and the threat to American lives that could follow as “not worth the outcome,” asking “How does bombing Iran benefit US interest?”

“Our own intelligence says Iran does not have a nuclear weapon and they are not close to having a weapon,” Sutton continued. “Iran will retaliate. Americans will be the target. This path was avoidable.”

Sen. Leber, a Republican and former Army paratrooper, wrote that he backed the President. “I, like you, do not have all the details so I am chosing [sic] to back his play and hope and pray for the best outcome,” Leber wrote, accompanied with a meme of a crying, green-haired person saying “Next week’s protests…’Leave Iran’s nukes alone!!!”

A few hours later, Leber called for increased efforts to deport “foreign criminal aliens,” saying that “activist judges must get the hell out of the commander-in-chief’s way.” The senator would go on to repost a post saying “Let this be a warning, Greenland” before posting the exact same message himself with the creative addition of an American flag emoji shown as greater than the Greenland flag emoji.

SC House Reps. Brandon Guffey and Jordan Pace, both Republicans, seemingly questioned the constitutionality of the strikes. “Didn’t think we could do this without congressional approval,” Guffey wrote, later posting his “favorite meme of the night” showing President Trump on the phone with the text “drop the peaceful bombs.”

Rep. Pace posted the single word “Congress” with a screen shot of Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the US Constitution, which states:

[The Congress shall have Power…] To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;…

Pace had earlier quipped he was “Hopeful!” after President Trump said Wednesday that Iran wanted to visit him at the White House for negotiations to avoid a war days prior to the bombings.

Rep. Jermaine Johnson, an Upstate Democrat exploring a run for Governor, asked, “#MAGA did you vote for America to bomb Iran?”

State Democratic House Minority Leader Rep. Todd Rutherford (SC-47) and Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto were mum on Saturday evening’s events, as were the state’s Republican House Majority Leader David Hiott (SC-04) and Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.

S.C. officers will increase litter law enforcement this June

Originally posted by the Sumter ITEM on June 7, 2025

by PalmettoPride

COLUMBIA – With the arrival of summer travel and tourism, June presents the perfect opportunity to launch a focused effort to protect South Carolina’s roadsides and natural spaces from litter. Zero Tolerance for Litter is a statewide initiative led by PalmettoPride and the South Carolina Litter Control Association to raise public awareness around the state’s litter laws.

Throughout June, officers from local and state agencies will increase enforcement of litter laws and educate the public about the consequences of littering. By combining enforcement with outreach, the initiative aims to promote cleaner communities and long-term litter prevention across the Palmetto State.

South Carolina is known for its natural beauty and attracts tourists from around the world every year. Tourism is South Carolina’s largest industry and generates an average of $29 billion a year for our state’s economy. The tourism and travel sector has grown by 65% in the past decade. We want visitors to continue returning to South Carolina and contributing to our local and state economies. Simultaneously, we want South Carolinians to continue to capitalize on all the beauty this state has to offer. To ensure this, we must protect our state’s iconic environmental landscapes that set it apart. We urge all South Carolinians to take personal responsibility by making a simple yet impactful choice: Do not litter.

“PalmettoPride is a driving force in the fight to keep South Carolina clean and beautiful,” said Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette. “The Zero Tolerance for Litter Campaign sends a clear message that littering and illegal dumping will not be ignored. This effort reminds us that protecting our environment is a shared responsibility, and it starts with each of us choosing to respect our communities and state.”

While PalmettoPride strives year-round to influence behavior around litter through education programs and public awareness campaigns, strong enforcement of litter laws provides a vital legal tool to support our ongoing efforts. Zero Tolerance for Litter targets three key misdemeanor violations: littering, illegal dumping and operating an unsecured load. SC Code of Laws 16-11-700 defines litter as any trash that is improperly thrown on public or private property without permission. Generally, littering refers to the improper disposal of trash below 15 pounds, and illegal dumping refers to the improper disposal of trash above 15 pounds. The maximum penalty for littering includes up to a $100 base fine, eight hours of community service and 30 days of imprisonment. For illegal dumping, the penalties increase significantly, with up to a $1,000 base fine, up to 32 hours of community service and one year of imprisonment.

SC Code of Laws 56-5-4100 and 48-53-10 require vehicles to have properly secured loads with tight coverings to prevent debris from falling onto roadways. Failing to comply can lead to serious environmental, safety and legal consequences. Unsecured loads are a significant source of roadside litter – an estimated 20% of litter along highways comes from items that fall off vehicles. Nationally, debris on roadways contributes to approximately 50,000 preventable accidents, 10,000 injuries and 125 deaths each year. In concurrence with Zero Tolerance for Litter Month, National Secure Your Load Day is annually observed on June 6, placing a national spotlight on the dangers associated with unsecured loads. In South Carolina, the penalties for violating 56-5-4100 and 48-53-10 are $100 and $200, respectively.

PalmettoPride continues to work through every step of the legal system to strengthen the impact of South Carolina’s litter laws and penalties. According to a 2023 study, an overwhelming majority of South Carolina officers and magistrate judges favor a flexible, tiered fine structure for littering infractions, where officers have a better-defined criteria for ticketing and judges have more authority for adjudication. Act 214, which was passed in 2018, updated SC Code of Laws 16-11-700. The law gives courts more flexibility in handling litter cases by making it easier to assign community service for litter pickup without supervision. It also categorizes violations and defines litter more clearly, ensuring penalties match the severity of the offense.

The same 2023 study found littering offenses that reach South Carolina courts obtain a guilty verdict 87% of the time. Still, PalmettoPride regularly provides training to magistrate and municipal court judges to increase awareness of litter laws and to promote the specific assignment of litter-gathering labor as a community service penalty across all offenses, not just littering. Additionally, PalmettoPride works directly with law enforcement agencies and, in 2024, awarded $90,732 in grants to support litter control efforts, funding surveillance equipment, signage, community tarp giveaways and illegal dumpsite cleanups.

PalmettoPride also provides programmatic support for SCLCA, which provides essential training and resources to 48 member agencies.

“This initiative isn’t just about writing tickets. It’s about keeping our roads and communities clean and protecting what makes our state so special,” said Samuel H. Ford, president of South Carolina Litter Control Association. “When law enforcement, local leaders and everyday people work together, we’re making it clear that littering will not be tolerated in our state.”

The Zero Tolerance for Litter campaign’s impact is made possible through our longstanding and numerable enforcement partnerships with the S.C. Governor’s Office, the S.C. General Assembly, the S.C. Judicial Branch, the S.C. Department of Transportation, the S.C. Department of Public Safety, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the S.C. Forestry Commission, the S.C. Sheriffs’ Association and affiliate organizations of Keep South Carolina Beautiful.

“Enforcing South Carolina’s litter laws requires strong partnerships at every level,” said PalmettoPride Executive Director Sarah Lyles. “From local law enforcement to state agencies, working together allows us to amplify our efforts, hold offenders accountable and ultimately protect the beauty and integrity of our communities.”

S.C. Lt. Governor Evette featured on In Focus South Carolina

Originally posted by Spectrum News Staff on May 4, 2025

In Focus South Carolina: Lt. Governor Pamela Evette

Part 1: Lt. Governor Pamela Evette discusses why she ran for office and how her business background has impacted decision making in the state 

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette shares some insight into both her political career and personal life. Prior to serving with the Governor, Evette was a small business owner. A valuable perspective when it comes to economic decisions. The Lt. Governor is the the first Republican woman elected to the post. She says she has made it her mission to listen and be impactful. One of the first things she did as Lt. Governor was to travel the state and meet with business owners to find out what works, and what can be done better.

Part 2: The Lt. Governor talks about Doge, about how there’s not a lot of waste on the state level, but how it’s important to look for efficiency especially with the goal of making South Carolina a zero personal tax income state.  

On education Evette touted the success of the SC Wins program.  It’s a scholarship program done in conjunction with area technical colleges.  Over the last 7 years, the program has resulted in a 10 percent increase in the number of South Carolinians with a secondary degree or certification.

The LT. Governor is a big supporter of reading. Will frequently visit schools and read to the students.

In the interview, she also discusses the recent wildfires, the work of first responders and South Carolinians in general who stepped up to help.

Part 3: Lt. Governor says when “Grab A Bag” cleanup campaign first started it yielded 15-thousand tons of trash in one weekend

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette touts the “Grab a Bag” campaign for helping to keep the state clean. It encourages people to grab a garbage bag and clean up trash in their neighborhood.  The Lt. Governor says when it first started 15-thousand tons of trash were recovered in one weekend. That equates to financial savings, first because they don’t have to pay someone to do the cleanup.  And then there’s tourism. People come to the state for its beautiful landscapes.

The Lt. Governor is considering a possible run for Governor. She says the favorite part of her job is traveling the state, meeting new people and learning new things.  She answered some lighthearted questions about favorite books, TV shows, etc and says her favorite family activity is Golf.

Evette joins RFK Jr.’s visit to Charleston to discuss new Medicaid model

by Anna Harris, originally posted by WCSC on April 25, 2025

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A nationwide effort is set to bring transformative therapies to people on Medicaid who are diagnosed with sickle cell disease through a new model by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy visited the Holy City on Friday to meet with state elected officials and Lowcountry doctors during an annual conference put on by the National Council of Insurance Legislators.

“This is a real win-win for everybody,” Kennedy said.

He says this new model’s goal is to expand access to transformative therapies for people with Medicaid and mainly for those with sickle cell disease.

Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Abe Sutton says those with sickle cell are currently treated for their symptoms, but Kennedy wants new gene therapies to focus on its root causes.

A handful of protestors stood outside the Francis Marion Hotel during this announcement in hopes of getting their message across to folks driving by.

“What I fear is a return to pre-existing conditions before we get insurance and things like that,” protestor Jennifer Small said. “And that’s totally ridiculous.”

Kennedy says he wants to create standardized insurance processes so people’s treatment can go from lasting months to just days. Plus, he wants to allow patients to make intuitive payments to manufacturers depending on whether the drug actually works for them.

He says people assume budget cuts translate to worse service, but it does not have to be that way.

“When we adopt cutting-edge technologies and make tough and fair negotiations with industry, we can cut costs and improve patient care,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy says 35 states have already applied to be involved in this new model, including South Carolina.

And one of the elected officials who met with Kennedy is South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who says the Palmetto State is fourth per capita in the nation of people with sickle cell. She says talking with a sickle cell patient directly in the meeting helped enhance her perspective.

“Competition is what drives costs down,” Evette said. “So, as these start to be proven and more people get into this field and start producing more drugs, that will eventually bring the costs down also.”

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R) also met with the small group and says it means a lot to him as he’s worked on sickle cell legislation for the past ten years. He says 60% of sickle cell funding comes through Medicaid, and he wants to make sure that stays intact.

He also brought up another personal concern with Kennedy.

“Frankly, I had some concerns that the Office of Minority Health was going to be eliminated, and I wanted to make sure that I got the assurances that I wanted from RFK that that was not the case,” Scott said. “It’s moving over to the American Hospital Association part of the administration. So, that was good news to hear that as well.”

The Medical University of South Carolina’s adult and pediatric blood and marrow transplant and cellular therapy program medical director, Dr. Michelle Hudspeth, says she’s hoping these changes become long-term.

“Someone in your family is going to be affected by a life-altering illness, and we never know what that day may be,” Hudspeth said. “And so, this is about the background of science and research coming to a point where we can truly change lives.”

Overall, the group agrees they want to make these life-changing solutions in a fiscally responsible way.

Hudspeth says the group hopes this model will get approved in South Carolina so these therapies can start right away. But for now, there’s no timeline of if or when it may happen.

S.C. Lt. Gov. to Newsmax: We Needed New President, Not New Laws

By James Morley III, Originally Posted by Newsmax April 10, 2025

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette told Newsmax on Thursday that when it comes to illegal immigration, “we didn’t need more laws, we just needed a new president.”

Last Wednesday, 21-year-old Nathaniel “Nate” Baker was killed during a hit-and-run on the University of South Carolina’s campus. Police have charged 21-year-old Rosali Fernandez Cruz with the death in addition to other charges.

Columbia Police have said that Fernandez Cruz is an illegal migrant and Evette pointed out the damage done by the previous administration’s open border policies, saying “we can’t sugar coat it anymore.”

“The Biden administration — those were failed policies that allowed millions of dangerous people into our country. You know, the governor and I, we took very specific steps in South Carolina, making sure that we had no sanctuary cities in our state,” Evette said during an appearance on Newsmax’s “National Report.”

Evette said that Gov. Henry McMaster has told state law enforcement to report back any increases in illegal migrant populations anywhere in the state. “So, we were making sure that our prosecutors had the tools they needed to carry out our laws to the fullest extent.

“And President Trump was right, we didn’t need more laws we just needed a new president, somebody that had a backbone that would stand up for the American people and say, enough is enough. We have to keep Americans safe,” she concluded.

World’s largest center console boat travels through South Carolina today

By Stephanie Moore, originally published on WYFF4 February 3, 2025

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. —

The world’s largest center console boat is traveling in South Carolina on Monday.

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office announced it was helping State Transport Police in escorting the boat and announced traffic delays in the area.

Police said the boat will be going from the Charleston Harbor to the Summerville area.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette posted on social media on Jan. 17 about the unveiling of Scout Boats’ new 670LXS — the world’s largest outboard-powered, center console boat.

Evette said bringing this vessel to market is just “one more example of SC’s innovative fingerprints leaving their mark on the world.”

Steve Potts, CEO and founder of Scout Boats, said the 670LXS “is like no other.”

“Not a detail was missed,” Potts said. “Our all-new flagship, the 670LXS, is the largest outboard-powered boat in the world. We created something that didn’t exist in the marketplace, yet it is still distinctly a Scout. We compromised nothing and expected everything.”

Scout Boats is located in Summerville, South Carolina.

SC Poultry Federation Hosts Friends of the Flock

Initially posted on November 18, 2024 by SFN Today.

The SC Poultry Federation hosted its annual Friends of the Flock fundraiser at City Roots in Columbia last week. The event was well attended and included comments from SCPF Chair David Rush of Palmetto AgriBusiness Council member House of Raeford; SCPF Executive Director and PABC Board member Trey Byars; State Senator Wes Climer Senate Ag & Nat Resources Chairman; and SC Lt Governor Pamela Evette.

The food and refreshments were great as was the networking. Supportive comments were provided by Lt. Governor Evette and Senator Climer.

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette speaks to the Friends of the Flock. Story and image courtesy PABC.