Meg Kinnard, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., listens to journalists at the end of his visit to Israel, in Jerusalem, Wednesday, 2024. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

Bauer, South Carolina’s former lieutenant governor, ends GOP primary challenge to Sen. Graham

August 8, 2025

Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer has suspended his GOP primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham. Bauer announced the decision on social media, citing a “political climate that rewards deception over honesty.” He launched his campaign 38 days ago, criticizing Graham for not being conservative enough. Bauer has not endorsed any remaining candidates. Graham, who has President Trump’s support, wished Bauer well. Bauer, a longtime Trump backer, previously served as South Carolina’s lieutenant governor and has run for other offices. Republicans dominate South Carolina politics, making GOP primaries highly competitive.

President Donald Trump greets attendees as he departs an event to mark National Purple Heart Day in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump honors Purple Heart recipients, including 3 who sent him medals after attempt on his life

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump has recognized nearly 100 Purple Heart recipients at the White House. On Thursday, he honored three service members who gave him their medals after an attempt on his life at a Pennsylvania rally. Trump expressed gratitude for their gesture and shared stories of valor. National Purple Heart Day is marked annually on August 7. During the ceremony, Trump also mentioned authorizing a 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, calling him the “father of the roadside bomb.” The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who are killed or wounded while engaging in enemy action or resulting from acts of terrorism.

President Donald Trump arrives to speak before signing an executive order about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Washington, as Vice President JD Vance watches. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump maintains influence over GOP and keeps potential successors vying for his favor

August 6, 2025

President Donald Trump has hinted that Vice President JD Vance might be the favorite to succeed him as the leader of the MAGA movement. Trump has also mentioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a potential political partner for Vance. Trump’s comments highlight his ongoing influence over the Republican Party and intent to keep potential successors vying for his favor. While Trump hasn’t ruled out a third term, he’s praised Vance’s performance. Vance has been active in promoting Trump’s policies and has taken on significant roles in both domestic and foreign affairs. Other Republicans are also positioning themselves for possibly entering the 2028 race.

President Donald Trump talks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before he boards Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

In his own words: Trump’s comments over the past year on the jobs report

August 4, 2025

In firing the head of the agency that produces monthly jobs figures, President Donald Trump alleged that the recent weaker-than-expected numbers were phony and that positive numbers reported before the 2024 election were manipulated to make him look bad. This move follows a pattern where Trump labels favorable job reports as legitimate and unfavorable ones as fraudulent. In August 2024, he criticized the Democrats for the fact that the economy added only 114,000 jobs the month before. In April 2025, he praised a surprising 228,000 jobs added the previous month, crediting his own economic policies.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., speaks during the Republican National Convention, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Rep. Nancy Mace kicks off South Carolina GOP gubernatorial bid. She says she’s ‘Trump in high heels’

August 4, 2025

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina says she plans to start a statewide series of town halls this week in Myrtle Beach now that she’s running for governor. Mace enters a GOP primary in which competition for President Donald Trump’s endorsement is expected to be fierce. Mace announced her candidacy Monday in Charleston. The congresswoman plans to focus on criminal justice, fiscal responsibility, education and energy grid improvements. Mace says she’ll seek Trump’s support, saying she stands out in the GOP field as having best advanced his agenda for South Carolinians. Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Rep. Ralph Norman have already entered the GOP race.

FILE - Laura Loomer arrives at Philadelphia International Airport, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

More Trump administration figures who met Laura Loomer’s ire are out. A look at her influence

July 30, 2025

President Donald Trump has downplayed the influence of Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur known for her incendiary social media presence, in his administration’s decision-making. But the list of officials who have drawn Loomer’s ire and swiftly thereafter gotten the axe from Trump’s administration has been growing. The latest was Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s vaccine chief, who announced his departure this week after Loomer criticized him for past statements against Trump. Loomer has publicly urged Trump to remove aides whom she deems disloyal. Trump has praised Loomer but distanced himself from some of her controversial remarks.

FILE - Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks at the Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to headline signature South Carolina GOP event

July 29, 2025

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is set to headline a major Republican event in South Carolina. Rep. Sheri Biggs announced Sanders as the featured speaker for her Salute to Liberty event on Aug. 18 in Anderson. This venue has historically been a platform for Republican White House hopefuls. Sanders, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has deep ties to South Carolina, where her father Mike Huckabee stumped for president in 2008 and 2016. She served as press secretary for President Donald Trump, who remains popular in the state. Biggs, who won her district last year, aims to create a new identity for the event while maintaining its significance for national-level Republicans.

FILE - Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom presents his revised 2025-2026 state budget during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Gavin Newsom swings through South Carolina, where Democrats will play pivotal 2028 nominating role

July 7, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom begins a two-day tour of South Carolina, meeting voters in rural and Republican-leaning areas. The trip over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday includes eight stops at coffee shops, small businesses, and churches. Newsom’s visit to this early-voting state signals potential interest in a 2028 presidential run. On Wednesday, he plans to visit Seneca, a conservative town in a county where Donald Trump won over 75% of votes in 2024. South Carolina holds significant influence in Democratic primaries due to its diverse electorate. Newsom’s efforts reflect a strategy to broaden his appeal beyond his liberal California image.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to reporters after a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on the Department of Defense hearing on budget estimates for the Navy, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lindsey Graham gets GOP primary challenge from André Bauer, South Carolina’s former lieutenant gov

July 1, 2025

Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer has announced a GOP primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham. Bauer, a longtime supporter of Donald Trump, criticizes Graham for not being conservative enough to represent South Carolina. He describes himself as an “America First conservative” focused on the state’s true conservative values. Graham, a four-term incumbent, has faced similar challenges before but maintains strong Republican support, including Trump’s endorsement. Bauer, a wealthy developer, plans to heavily campaign across the state. He previously served as lieutenant governor and has run unsuccessfully for other offices. South Carolina’s GOP primaries often see intense competition.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, center, speaks at his launch event for the state's 2026 governor's race as his father, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., watches, Monday, June 23, 2025, in Lexington, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

Alan Wilson, South Carolina’s four-term Republican attorney general, enters 2026 governor’s race

June 23, 2025

Alan Wilson, the four-term Republican attorney general of South Carolina, kicked off his bid for the state’s first open gubernatorial race in 16 years. Wilson’s announcement Monday in his hometown of Lexington sets up a 2026 GOP primary contest that’s likely to be a heated competition for President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Ahead of that official launch, Wilson sat down for a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, laying out his vision for the gubernatorial campaign. Official filing for the state’s 2026 elections doesn’t open until March, but several other Republicans have made moves toward running in South Carolina’s first open governor’s race in 16 years. That includes Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell.

Meg Kinnard.