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Key Takeaways — South Carolina

Trump won South Carolina by +16.5 in 2024 (57.6% vs 41.1%) — Safe R, though Charleston and Columbia are increasingly competitive, reflecting the college-educated suburban shift away from Republicans
Lindsey Graham's Senate seat is up in 2026 — Safe R; he called Trump "unfit for office" after January 6, then fully reconciled; he chairs key committees and is a dominant foreign-policy hawk in the Senate
South Carolina hosts the first-in-the-South presidential primary — the first major test of Black Democratic voters every cycle; Biden's landslide here in February 2020 revived his campaign after weak showings in Iowa and New Hampshire
Nikki Haley was governor before becoming UN Ambassador — she ran against Trump in 2024 and was the last major challenger standing (until March), winning educated-suburban Republicans in a preview of Trump's general-election weaknesses

Safe R — 9 Electoral Votes

South Carolina

South Carolina (SC) — 9 Electoral Votes · Capital: Columbia · Governor: Henry McMaster (R)

2024 Presidential Election — South Carolina

Source: Official 2024 General Election results — Trump +16.5. Margin: 16.5 pts.

Key Facts — South Carolina

State	South Carolina (SC)
Capital	Columbia
Population	5.3M
Electoral Votes	9
Governor	Henry McMaster (R)
Senator 1	Lindsey Graham (R)
Senator 2	Tim Scott (R)
Party Lean	Safe R
2024 Trump	57.6%
2024 Harris	41.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

How did South Carolina vote in the 2024 presidential election?

South Carolina voted for Donald Trump in 2024, with Trump receiving 57.6% versus Harris's 41.1%. The state has 9 electoral votes.

Who are the current US senators from South Carolina?

South Carolina's two US senators are Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott. Both represent the state in the US Senate, where each senator serves a six-year term.

What is South Carolina's political lean?

South Carolina is rated "Safe R" in presidential elections. The state capital is Columbia, and South Carolina carries 9 electoral votes in the Electoral College.