SC Democratic candidates for governor to finally meet on debate stage. How to watch
Five Democrats vying for the South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nomination have been invited to square off in a June 10 televised debate four days ahead of the statewide primary election.
The debate will start at 5 p.m. at South Carolina ETV’s studios in Columbia. It will be moderated by ETV’s Gavin Jackson, S.C. Public Radio reporter Thelisha Eaddy and Post and Courier reporter Nick Reynolds.
All five candidates include state Sen. Mia McLeod, former Congressman Joe Cunningham, and Columbia’s Carlton Boyd and Calvin McMillan, and William Williams, of Florence. McLeod and Cunningham said they plan to attend.
The new date comes after a tense social media back-and-forth between race frontrunners McLeod and Cunningham, who declined to participate in a June 1 debate over concerns that organizers were on McLeod’s campaign payroll.
Cunningham later proposed a June 10 date, because candidates are already scheduled to be in Columbia for the state Democratic Party’s convention.
With a scheduled June 10 debate, that means candidates will take the stage four days before the election and after early voting ends.
The debate gives the party frontrunners an opportunity to speak to a statewide audience, particularly McLeod who so far has not bought any advertising time on television.
McLeod has raised $492,000 for her campaign, trailing Cunningham’s haul during the cycle.
Cunningham has brought in $1.7 million for his campaign and in May began running ads in Greenville, Columbia and Charleston.
The ETV debate will re-air at 8 p.m. June 13, the day before the primary election.
“For decades, SCETV has covered elections, public policy and government officials, providing South Carolinians with unmatched government transparency,” ETV’s President and CEO Anthony Padgett said in a statement. “Through this partnership with the Post and Courier, we’re excited to have the opportunity to host and broadcast this debate, helping the citizens of this state be informed as they head to the polls.”
The winner of the Democratic primary will most likely face Republican incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster in the general election.
How to watch
What: S.C. Democratic debate for governor
When: 5 to 6 p.m. June 10, and again at 8 p.m. June 13
Where: Viewers can watch the debate live on ETV’s statewide network, its livestream the ETV website, or on ETV’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 3:09 PM with the headline "SC Democratic candidates for governor to finally meet on debate stage. How to watch."
