In a recent meeting, Cindy Risher, Lanette Samuels-Cooper, and state Rep. Fawn M. Pedalino gathered downtown in Manning before a Clarendon County GOP meeting. The Scotts, who supported Trump in 2020, expressed that things felt better when Trump was in office. This departure from the area’s norm, which was blue for most of the 20th century, has seen a shift towards Republican support over the years. Trump was the first Republican candidate to win Clarendon County since Richard Nixon in 1972.
The signs of this political shift are apparent in the county, with Trump and Vance 2024 yard signs dotting lawns and the county Republican party establishing a new headquarters in downtown Manning. This change is also reflected in local issues, such as concerns raised by farmers and timberland owners about land use for renewable energy purposes.
The political scene in Clarendon County is currently focused on the upcoming elections, with conservatives aiming to flip three of the five seats on County Council. This includes Probate Judge Margaret “Peggi” Sorrell switching her affiliation to run as a Republican. The county Republican Party Chairman, Moye Graham, expressed confidence in the campaign and is working to turn out the vote in support of candidates like Pedalino. The growing population in the county is likely to bring more personal property rights issues to the council in the future.
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