Being number two is not always bad in politics, but you sure don’t want to be the “anointed one” and unable to break past the upper 20 percent range of support. Why? It means that roughly 70 percent of the voters want someone else or are undecided. Do undecideds break for a woman with weeks of actual experience or those with decades or a few years behind them?
We think South Carolina’s independent streak will surface in the special election for the Untied States Senate. As much as many Palmetto State residents are all in for the president, they also know what a U.S. senator should be: a voice of wisdom based on experience in the business of public policy. This is not a place for the untested. With ten candidates running, we are certain of a runoff. Polls have moved to put Graham ahead and then down below Norman. Fry and Sanford have remained in double digits. All the candidates have money from their own campaigns and PACs that have joined the fight.
Sanford is betting that fiscal concerns echo pocketbook concerns, making him the “gut choice” for undecideds, and he may very well be right. He has high name recognition and strong pockets of support in his old congressional district. Fry looks good on paper but does not seem to get the oxygen and momentum needed, but he has money and a loyal but divided base. Norman has a strong following among traditional conservatives, especially in the Upstate; he — at 73 and the oldest of the leading candidates running — may not pull the younger voters he needs.
Our sister publication, the Charleston Mercury, has endorsed Mark Sanford for this special election, and we agree that he is the best choice. The nation needs a voice for fiscal sanity, and one who will be around to help clean up the debt and bad spending habits in vogue for decades. Someone must effectively tap on the brakes of big government, and Gov. Sanford has demonstrated his ability to garner attention from the media for this cause. Let’s allow an experienced and tenacious tiger loose in the “World’s Greatest Deliberative Body” and also welcome an advocate for our natural resources. We are always in favor of simplifying government red tape, but we are living at a time when the rules are changing so fast that we cannot fairly assess the potential environmental thereof. (See our article below about rule changes and duck breeding habitat.)
We are hearing from many environmentalists that they are concerned about a host of issues, but we cannot be sure if this is hyperbole for the purpose of raising funds or voices that speak of real consequences to many changes to environmental regulations. No doubt there is some fire with the smoke, but we want discernment from a landowner who has just about every big plantation owner in his smart phone. Hence, we need a senator who is an advocate for free enterprise and business development AND can be a trusted voice regarding our natural resources and tell us the truth. Hence, we need Mark Sanford now more than ever; vote for him this Tuesday — and two weeks later — and tell your friends to do likewise.
By CDD Staff
As readers will see above in our editorial, conservationists and environmentalists are concerned about the prolific changes in environmental regulations in the Trump administration. Some changes are real; a few are potential and others are in dispute as we write.
One of the more contentious issues concerns protection for the so-called “prairie potholes” that others call the “duck factory” because so many waterfowl are hatched there. The Daily Caller has a good article on this issue, and we commend it to our readers. You may find it here: https://dailycaller.com/2026/08/07/fish-wildlife-rule-drain-tiles-prairie-pothole-region-conservation-ducks-unlimited-delta-waterfowl/.
By Capers Tabrizian
Visitors may explore nearly three centuries of local history at the Camden Archives & Museum, where exhibits highlight the city’s role in the American Revolution, horse racing, military history and everyday life in South Carolina’s oldest inland city. Historic artifacts, photographs and rotating displays offer an in-depth look at the people and events that shaped Camden and Kershaw County.
The Camden Archives & Museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1314 Broad St. in Camden. Admission is free. For more information, click here.
By James DeLo
Charleston is getting a new professional sports team, as the Carolina Pirates prepare to bring National Squash League action to the Lowcountry for the 2026-27 season.
The team formerly known as the Newport Dragons is relocating south and will play its home matches at the Charleston Racquet Club. The Pirates already have plenty of talent lined up, including Timmy Brownell, the top-ranked American men’s player, world No. 16 Yahya Elnawasany and up-and-coming Matias Knudsen. Galen Le Cheminant, director of squash at the Charleston Racquet Club, will coach the team.
The franchise is coming off a playoff appearance last season, when the Dragons were knocked out by the Greenwich Panthers just shy of the league finals. With a new city and one of the stronger rosters in the league, the Pirates will be hoping Charleston proves a little luckier.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, the National Squash League turns traditional squash into a fast-moving team competition featuring some of the best players in the world. Charleston sports fans will get their first chance to see the Pirates in action when the new season begins.
For more information and to support the new team, visit NSLsport.com.
Brown, Don. —Mount Pleasant. Don H. Brown, 87, died August 3, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a United States Army veteran and a respected leader in South Carolina business.
Born July 8, 1939, and raised on a farm in rural Williamsburg County, Don learned early the value of hard work and perseverance. He later founded Rogers and Brown Custom Brokers, a global logistics company that remains in operation nearly six decades later. He was also among the original founders of the South Carolina International Trade Conference, served as its chairman and was active in the Maritime Association of South Carolina and the Propeller Club.
Despite a career that took him around the world, Don remained devoted to his family and his faith. He and his wife, Joan Cannon Brown, were married for nearly 63 years. An avid hunter and golfer, he enjoyed spending time outdoors at his country home with friends and family. He was a faithful member of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters Jodi Barr, Deedee St. Laurent and Shannon Wood; son Don H. “Bo” Brown Jr.; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers Wendell Brown and Steve Brown; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maude and Ernest Brown, two sisters and a brother.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 8, at 3:00 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, followed by a celebration of life at the Brown residence. Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston.
By Hudson Zadig
Come to the Corley Mill House and Gardens to experience a bygone era of literature at the Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy. Poe Historians will be at the event and telling stories and giving some insight into the life of Edgar Allen Poe.
During the event, lead mixologists will be making drinks that are inspired by Poe’s famous stories. In this speakeasy, guests will catch a glimpse of Poe’s mysterious life. Guests must be age 21 and above to attend this event; those underage are welcome nevermore. Ahem.
This event is on August 15 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 221 Corley Mill Rd. in Lexington. To see more information, visit https://www.experiencecolumbiasc.com/event/edgar-allen-poe-speakeasy/73914/.
By James DeLo
The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum gives visitors a different look at horse racing with a temporary exhibit featuring the work of longtime illustrator Chris Ware.
Ware spent nearly 40 years with the Lexington Herald-Leader, using cartoons and illustrations to capture the horses, characters and lighter moments surrounding major events like the Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup and World Equestrian Games.
The exhibit offers a more playful take on racing history and will remain on display through August 9 at the museum in Aiken. The museum is open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, with the exception of being closed on Mondays, and Saturdays opening earlier, at 10:00 a.m. For more information, visit aikenracinghalloffame.com.
Happy birthday, Tommy Hartnett!
The man, the legend has a birthday today. This is none other than retired real estate appraiser and former congressman from the First Congressional District, our friend Tommy Hartnett, Sr. who turned 85 today. We wish Congressman Hartnett many more trips around the Sun and send warm greetings to his distinguished family.
Fire towers and Flat Rock
The WNC Times recently published an article about retired fire towers around the state that hikers can visit, along with the difficulty rating of hiking there. Sadly, none were listed as “Can be seen by most porches in Flat Rock.”
Better news for WNC
For Rambler readers of a certain age (and wisdom), the WNC Times also currently boasts an article about which WNC rivers offer the best scenic floats.
Later, gator
According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, alligator attacks in the Southeast have been reduced by almost half since 2022. Some credit the Orange Man; others suggest the answer rests in expanded season for gators. A few think is a merely a fluke of statistics and that Wally Gator will soon resume his predatory skills.
Click and go
A recent headline stating “Miss N.C. USA Stripped” generated more than 23,000,000 clicks. The average time spent on the article was two seconds, as the first sentence read, “Miss N.C. USA has been stripped of her title due to an offensive post she made online, several years ago.” Oh, those naughty headline writers; some cannot avoid going what we call “Full Rupert.”
What is to fear from Union Pier?
Billionaire Ben Navarro purchased multiple properties near Union Pier for $3.8 million in July, positioning himself to create a gateway to the 48-acres of waterfront property he purchased from the S.C. State Ports and Property Sales and Investments Authority. The scale of change expected is beyond the scope of perspective that the Rambler can imagine.
By Capers Tabrizian
No matter if it is the rain or the heat that has driven you inside, you have an option for an adventure next Sunday to an air-conditioned setting with great art. Visitors may explore highlights from the Columbia Museum of Art’s renowned permanent collection throughout a guided public tour of the collection. Led by museum educators, the hour-long tour examines works spanning centuries and cultures while providing insight into the artists, historical movements and stories behind some of the museum’s most notable pieces.
The tour will be held Sunday, Aug. 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. in Columbia. The program is free with museum membership or South Carolina residency; others will need to pay for admission. For more information, click here.
By CDD Staff
Experience one of Lake Murray’s most remarkable natural events during the Purple Martin Sunset Cruise aboard the Spirit of Lake Murray. This relaxed evening cruise offers a front-row seat to watch thousands of purple martins gather at sunset, creating a spectacular sight.
The next cruise is this Friday, August 7, departing from the Spirit of Lake Murray Marina, 2116 Shadowood Drive, Irmo. Better get cracking, as boarding begins at 6:00 p.m., with cruising from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Guests can relax and enjoy scenic lake views while watching the birds gather for the evening. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on board, and seating first come, first served.
Advance reservations are recommended as space is limited, with tickets starting at $71 per person. For more information click http://www.lakemurraycountry.com/event/spirit-of-lake-murray-purple-martin-cruise/2026-08-07/
By Hudson Zadig
Come to Hampton-Preston gardens and mansion for a walk around the park showing you the diverse collections of trees. The horticulture manager of Historic Columbia, Chris Mathis, will guide you through the lush scenery. Guests may catch a glimpse of not only South Carolina staples, but exotic species rarely seen in the Palmetto State. Each season, the Tree Trek highlights different trees in the park, so you may come back every couple of months. Bring your family and grow your knowledge of trees together as a family.
This event is on August 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 1615 Blanding St. in Columbia. Tickets are $10 per person. To see more information, visit https://www.experiencecolumbiasc.com/event/tree-trek/73773/.
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