Candidates rarely jump into races at the last minute by accident. This episode explores how South Carolina candidate recruitment, filing season timing, party support networks, and early signals of campaign viability shape who actually enters elections across the state. We look at how political parties, independent groups, and local dynamics influence the South Carolina governor’s race field and other contests before voters ever see the ballot. If you want to understand how South Carolina campaigns take shape before filing closes, this conversation explains the quiet decisions that shape who runs.

00:00 PAC Ads and Campaign Money

04:37 South Carolina Filing Period

07:09 SC Governor Race Funding Issues

13:04 Democrats, Gerrymandering, and Voter Power

19:00 Local Candidates and Filing Deadlines

26:47 PACs, 527s, and Dark Money

34:33 Part-Time Lawmakers and Outside Influence

37:00 How Campaign Money Buys Attention

43:50 Baseball Opening Day

Sam Skardon

Former Chairman, Charleston County Democratic Party

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-skardon-42198b65

Also available wherever you get your podcasts:

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frogmore-stew/id1714820542

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6pxy2KuAmOfHCOU7xFQHUj

There's more stew on Substack!

https://frogmorestew.substack.com/

Learn more about Frogmore Stew at https://www.frogmorestewsc.com/

On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/frogmorestewsc

on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@frogmorestewsc

Frogmore Stew is brought to you by The Alliance Coalition

The Alliance Coalition works to redistribute power back to YOU, the voter. We do this by collecting data on belief systems, providing clear and digestible political information, history and trends, while building a community for those of us who feel politically unhoused. We encourage all to engage in shaping our state’s future and communicating our thoughts about how to do that productively.

https://www.thealliancecoalition.org/

What happens when everyday creators become the bridge between the Statehouse and the public? In this conversation with South Carolina political influencers Laurie, Carrie, and Jessica, we explore how social media is changing political messaging, helping voters understand what lawmakers are doing, and connecting people across the state who thought they were alone in their views. From reproductive rights updates to library fights and legislative debates, these creators are building a direct-to-voter pipeline for real-time civic awareness. We discuss how grassroots political influencers, local statehouse updates, and South Carolina political organizing are reshaping how voters engage with state politics.

00:00 Introduction

04:03 Why They Started Political Content

07:10 Identity, Faith, and Politics in South Carolina

14:54 Does Advocacy Content Drive Change?

17:15 TikTok and the Political Influencer Economy

27:31 Mobilizing vs Organizing for Real Change

34:09 Digital Strategy and Women Driving Change

39:40 Messaging Strategy and Reaching New Voters

45:41 Independence and Respect Across Parties

50:37 Inclusion, Belonging, and Fixing Politics

Lori Douglas

https://tiktok.com/@calltoactsouthernstyle

Carey Shofner

https://tiktok.com/@messyasamother

Jessicka Spearman Childs

https://tiktok.com/@scjesckachilds

Also available wherever you get your podcasts:

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frogmore-stew/id1714820542

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6pxy2KuAmOfHCOU7xFQHUj

There's more stew on Substack!

https://frogmorestew.substack.com/

Learn more about Frogmore Stew at https://www.frogmorestewsc.com/

On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/frogmorestewsc

on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@frogmorestewsc

Frogmore Stew is brought to you by The Alliance Coalition

The Alliance Coalition works to redistribute power back to YOU, the voter. We do this by collecting data on belief systems, providing clear and digestible political information, history and trends, while building a community for those of us who feel politically unhoused. We encourage all to engage in shaping our state’s future and communicating our thoughts about how to do that productively.

https://www.thealliancecoalition.org/

What really happens when political leaders face breaking news and nonstop media pressure? Former Capitol Hill communications strategist Sarah Massey explains how crisis communication works inside the Speaker’s office and how political messaging reaches voters across the country. She shares how social media reshaped political communication, changed bipartisan relationships, and helped turn politics into a faster and more visible public conversation. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern political communications, Capitol Hill media strategy, and the growing role of social media in political discourse.

00:00 Introduction

01:28 Capitol Hill Comms Career

04:18 Crisis Management on Capitol Hill

08:06 Daily Life in the Capitol

13:52 How Policy and Messaging Connect

19:19 Social Media and Political Identity

26:04 Congress and Polarization

33:04 Inside the ONE Campaign

Sarah Massey

Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Leader

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-swinehart-massey/

Also available wherever you get your podcasts:

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frogmore-stew/id1714820542

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6pxy2KuAmOfHCOU7xFQHUj

There's more stew on Substack!

https://frogmorestew.substack.com/

Learn more about Frogmore Stew at https://www.frogmorestewsc.com/

On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/frogmorestewsc

on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@frogmorestewsc

Frogmore Stew is brought to you by The Alliance Coalition

The Alliance Coalition works to redistribute power back to YOU, the voter. We do this by collecting data on belief systems, providing clear and digestible political information, history and trends, while building a community for those of us who feel politically unhoused. We encourage all to engage in shaping our state’s future and communicating our thoughts about how to do that productively.

https://www.thealliancecoalition.org/