by Jeff Davis

As we head into the 2026 South Carolina Primaries next June 9th, Republican (and Democrat) voters will be faced with picking which Republican (or Democrat) they want to represent them in the general election. It will be a choice we each have to make among the available options … the 2, 3 or 5 candidates that filed and are on the ballot … and there is no “None Of The Above” option.  Sure, you don’t have to vote … but don’t complain later when you sat out the election.

We are seeing already … the jockeying by political consultants and their operatives to push their candidate (and tear down the opponents) … and the “PERFECTIONISTS” that complain about every candidate, but offer no solutions (and are not willing to run for office themselves).

A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH:  Selection of a candidate to support is not easy.  None of them are perfect, and how much can you really believe from what you hear on the campaign trail.  What we like to encourage is that everyone think critically and logically about candidates and their campaigns, and steer clear as best you can of the emotional knee-jerk reactions that often dominate the discussions.

IT IS NOT JUST THE CANDIDATE – LOOK AT THEIR TEAM:  While it’s tempting to focus solely on the candidate, it’s equally important to examine the people they surround themselves with. If you’re unaware of a candidate’s consultants (and their motivations), staff (and their roles), or the candidate’s supporters (who will inevitable have the ear of the candidate), it’s wise to hold off on offering your support. Ultimately, it’s not just about the candidate—it’s about their TEAM (or the “baggage” that comes with them).

We like to prioritize two key qualities when evaluating candidates:

(#1) Electability:  A candidate (a) willing to run for office and (b) capable of winning.  You may know the “perfect” person, but if they won’t run for office or are not capable of winning … what good are they?

(#2) Collaboration and Integrity:  A candidate open to working with The People, with the grassroots, willing to listen, eager to include The People as part of their TEAM, and genuinely committed to doing what’s objectively right for the people—not just themselves (or their monied special interest backers).  Here is where experience and judgment comes into consideration because you really don’t know what a candidate might do once elected.  We have helped candidates get elected – and then never spoken with them again (not by our choice).  Being lied to is a hard lesson to learn.

This process of selecting a candidate to back is both an art and a science, and while we may never find the “perfect” candidate, we can identify and support those who meet these two criteria and give us the best odds of promoting the conservative cause … at least until the next election when we will have another chance to try again.

THE TRUMP OF 2016:  Reflecting on the field of “candidates” in 2016 … and the original “candidate” DONALD J. TRUMP … I believe that original candidate TRUMP, embodied these qualities, and that approach has proven effective in helping Save America.

STOP LOOKING FOR A “POLITICAL SAVIOR”:  Most importantly, let’s remember, no candidate will save us. There is only one true “Savior”, and He is not running for office. Our work continues, so don’t think you are off the hook if your person gets elected.  But having the right people – dedicated TEAM players – in elected positions from top to bottom can make all the difference.

Be smart … be logical … don’t be emotional … and don’t just complain, complain, complain.  

Dum spiro spero 
(“While I breathe, I hope”) 

Best,

Jeff Davis, JD, MBA, CPA(GA)
Chairman & Co-Founder, mySCGOP.com
Chairman, Greenville County Republican Party
jeff@apogeetax.com
843-901-8036 (cell)

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TRUMP Truth Social Post (HERE)

The NANCY MACE campaign released polling numbers yesterday showing a commanding early lead in the South Carolina Governor’s Race … 25% MACE, 17% Alan Wilson, 10% Ralph Norman, 6% Pamela Evette, 3% Josh Kimbrell … with 38% Lean / Undecided.  You can see the full reports HERE & below.

The polling results show MACE separating herself from the crowd since officially launching her candidacy last week and announcing AUSTIN MCCUBBIN (HERE), the 2024 TRUMP Team Statewide Director, has joined her team.  This all seems to make MACE the early odds on favorite to win the Republican Primary next June 9th, 2026 … 294 days from today.

You can find more details on FITSNews (HERE & on X HERE) … but the real story broke when President TRUMP himself shared the MACE Polling Lead on his TRUTH Social (HERE) last night at 9:29pm.  When the POTUS shares your leading polling data with the world … that is a not so subtle message.

Good news for NANCY MACE …  but and incredibly bad sign for Lt. Governor Pamela Evette who is in a distant 4th with 6% of the vote.  The Lt. Governor has led folks to believe she has TRUMP’s endorsement locked up.  Well, that claim did not seem believable at the time … and really doesn’t appear believable now.  When was the last time TRUMP endorsed someone in 4th place???  We can’t remember either.

Stay tuned … it is going to be a fun 2026 primary season!!! 

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Governments and leaders are part of His sovereign plan, even if imperfect. Our leaders’ responsibility is to govern justly, as their authority is a divine trust. All authority is ultimately accountable to God. We always encourage and expect politicians and leaders on ANY level to act with integrity, knowing their role carries divine responsibility, and most importantly we urge ourselves and other citizens to hold leaders and their followers accountable to those ethical standards.

” Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.”

Romans 13:1-2

To repeat from last Sunday (HERE), our life choices have consequences. The meaningful decisions we make may not be the popular ones, often require efforts and sacrifice.

Happy Sunday!

Coffee & Politics – August 15th, 2025 – YouTube (HERE) & RUMBLE (HERE)

Friends, we have been running a weekly Coffee & Politics Meeting out of our Greenville Headquarters for nearly 3 1/2 years now … and it has been a huge hit. It is how we communicate our vision and #Mission to or local Volunteers and Community … and it one way we RECRUIT more people to the MAGA America First movement.

WHEN: Every Friday from 11am – 1pm

JOIN US!!!

NOW ON RUMBLE!!! (HERE)

Subscribe to our YouTube Page:

Subscribe: HERE

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Our life choices have consequences. The meaningful decisions we make may not be the popular ones, often require efforts and sacrifice. There is also the path of no effort, easy way out, whatever gets me there faster attitude bringing instant gratification, conforming to peer pressures often avoiding moral challenges. Choosing the less-traveled route of integrity, self-control, faithfulness, and alignment with God’s principles may be harder but is the righteous path bringing lasting reward. Choose wisely!

” Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

To repeat from last Sunday (HERE), God is merciful. God is patient…

Happy Sunday!

Coffee & Politics – August 8th, 2025 – YouTube (HERE), RUMBLE (HERE) & X (HERE).

Friends, we have been running a weekly Coffee & Politics Meeting out of our Greenville Headquarters for nearly 3 1/2 years now … and it has been a huge hit. It is how we communicate our vision and #Mission to or local Volunteers and Community … and it one way we RECRUIT more people to the MAGA America First movement.

WHEN: Every Friday from 11am – 1pm

JOIN US!!!

NOW ON RUMBLE!!! (HERE)

NOW ON X!!! (HERE)

Subscribe to our YouTube Page:

Subscribe: HERE

mySCGOP.shop

ONLINE SHOPPING: mySCGOP.shop

SUSTAINING & INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS:

Make a Charitable Donation TODAY: HERE