South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) will partner with the South Carolina Republican Party (SCGOP) to provide access to the upcoming South Carolina U.S. Senate Special Republican Primary Runoff Debate. The debate will be held at Newbery Opera House on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. and will broadcast and stream across SCETV statewide television and radio network.
The debate will be moderated by Greta Van Susteren, anchor of Newsmax’s The Record. Additional panelists include former SCGOP State Chairman Van Hipp and SCETV’s Gavin Jackson. Gavin Jackson is the host of SCETV’s weekly public affairs program This Week in South Carolina and the South Carolina Lede podcast. Members of the panel will ask substantive questions focused on the issues that matter most to South Carolina voters, giving voters an opportunity to hear directly from both candidates, compare their positions and learn more about their priorities ahead of the runoff.
The SCGOP will continue its partnership with Newsmax, which will provide national exposure for the debate, while SCETV will provide its experience as South Carolina's statewide public media network. Viewers can access the debate through television broadcast on ETV and ETV World using a digital antenna or through cable, satellite and streaming live television providers. The debate will also stream on SCETV.org, the SCETV Facebook page and SCETV News YouTube channel. Listeners can access SC Public Radio's live coverage via broadcast radio, the SC Public Radio website and the SC Public Radio Facebook page.
Regular television and radio programming will resume after the debate.
Additional coverage of South Carolina politics and public policy is available on ETV, ETV World and SC Public Radio. In-depth discussions about public policy topics around the state can be heard on the South Carolina Lede podcast, and a weekly recap of the state’s top headlines airs Fridays at 7:30 p.m. on ETV with This Week in South Carolina.
SCETV continues its commitment to provide comprehensive election coverage throughout the 2026 election cycle, offering South Carolinians access to candidate information, election-related reporting and in-depth analysis across television, radio and digital platforms. SCETV strives to ensure every South Carolinian has access to trusted, nonpartisan information needed to make informed voting decisions. Through comprehensive, statewide coverage, SCETV works to remove barriers to access information, foster civic engagement and support informed citizens during the 2026 election cycle and beyond.
More information, including coverage across all platforms, can be found on the SCETV website.
HOW TO WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA U.S. SENATE SPECIAL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUNOFF DEBATE
- Watch live on ETV.
- Watch live on ETV World.
- Watch the livestream on SCETV.org.
- Watch live on SCETV’s Facebook page and News YouTube channel.
- Listen live on SC Public Radio.
- Listen to the livestream on the SC Public Radio website.
QUOTES
“Providing South Carolinians with access to meaningful conversations about the issues and candidates on the ballot is an important part of SCETV’s public service mission. This debate will give voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and consider their positions as they make an important decision for South Carolina.” –SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell
"This runoff gives Republican voters a clear choice, and our job is to make sure they have every opportunity to hear directly from both candidates before casting their ballots. By bringing SCETV into this partnership, we're ensuring that the questions are focused on the issues South Carolinians care about and that both candidates have a fair opportunity to make their case. Combined with Newsmax's national reach, this debate will give South Carolina Republicans the information they need to make an informed decision about who they want representing them in the United States Senate." –SCGOP Chairman Drew McKissick
FAST FACTS
- SCETV will partner with the SCGOP to provide statewide access to the South Carolina U.S. Senate Special Republican Primary Runoff Debate on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. from the Newberry Opera House.
- The debate will broadcast and stream across SCETV’s statewide television and radio network, providing voters an opportunity to hear directly from the two remaining Republican candidates ahead of the runoff.
- Gavin Jackson, host of This Week in South Carolina and the South Carolina Lede podcast, will serve as one of the panelists, asking substantive questions focused on issues important to South Carolina voters.
- In addition to broadcast coverage, livestreams will be available on SCETV.org as well as on the SCETV Facebook page, SCETV News YouTube channel, SC Public Radio website and the SC Public Radio Facebook page.
About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state's public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local programs, such as The Know Show, Making It Grow, and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including Books By The River, After Action, Kitchen Curious with Vivian Howard, Reel South and Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis.
Media Contacts
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
Landon Masters
media@scetv.org
(803) 737-3337
South Carolina Republican Party
Grace Short
grace@scgop.com
(864) 608-9086
