APRIL 2–8, 2026
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Sanford back in the game, seeks former seat
Democratic Party candidates line up for a group photo after filing to run for office on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Beaufort County Board of Elections and Voter Registration office in Beaufort. Pictured from left are Bernie Scolaro, S.C. House District 118; Shauna Bishop, S.C. House District 124; Lynn Gerson, Beaufort County Council District 5; Travis Ludwig-Hutchins, Beaufort County Council District 10; Debbie Subera-Wiggin, S.C. House District 120; Carolyn Fournier, Beaufort County Council District 6; Jannine Mutterer, Beaufort County Council District 9; and Beaufort County Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Hughes. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
By Adrian Ashford SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is looking to return to Washington by winning back the congressional seat he lost eight years ago. Mark The two-term Sanford GOP governor on Monday joined South Carolina’s most crowded contest this year, with 10 other Republicans and
No surprises: 3 men running for Sheriff By Mike McCombs The Island News No one filed to run at the last minute Monday, March 30, leaving the three already-filed candidates in the race to replace soon-retiring Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner as the complete field. Longtime Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputy Doug Seifert, Tanner’s choice for the job, and Tanner’s two-time opponent and longtime law enforcement officer JoJo Woodward will face off in the Republican primary on June 9. Tanner told The Island Packet that Seifert
Doug Seifert
Alphonso Small Jr.
JoJo Woodward
was “the perfect choice” and said he would be “extremely proud” for Seifert to replace him when he retired.
SEE SURPRISES PAGE A6
SEE GAME PAGE A7 A CROWDED FIELD Candidates who filed to run for S.C.’s 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is running for Governor of South Carolina: Republicans Dan Brown Jay Byers Jenny Costa Honneycutt Logan Cunningham Tyler Dykes Kendal Ludden Sam McCown Alex Pelbath Cindy Wagers Riley Mark Sanford Mark Smith Democrats Francina Dantzler Mac Deford Max Diaz Ben Frazier Matthew Fulmer Nancy Lacore Mayra Rivera Vazquez Libertarian Bill Reeside Alliance Margo Ellis
More than 1,000 show up for ‘No Kings Day’
By Mike McCombs and Asa Aarons Smith The Island News Around 1,200 people turned out at noon for the “No Kings Day” protest in Beaufort on Saturday, March 28, many carrying signs and dressed in themed attire to protest the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration. The Beaufort event was one of two in the county — the other was
held in Bluffton and also drew more than 1,000 people — and one of more than 3,000 planned events across all 50 states, 500 more events than the last “No Kings Day” in October. Initial estimates number the protesters at more than 8 million nationally. This is the third “No Kings Day” protest in Beaufort since Trump took office. There were also rallies on June 14, 2025 and Oct. 18, 2025.
Groups, including Indivisible Beaufort and the Northern Beaufort County Democratic Club also protest regularly on Monday afternoons at the same location. The protesters’ signs addressed many topics, but the four most popular were the Trump Administration’s use of Immigration and Customs
More than 1,000 people protested President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies in the “No Kings Day” rally Saturday March 28, in front of Beaufort City Hall at the intersection of Boundary Street and Ribaut SEE KINGS PAGE A4 Road in Beaufort. Asa Aarons Smith/The Island News
NEWS
ARTS
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INSIDE
City revisits short term rental rules amid debate over fairness, neighborhood impact.
Third annual Chalk It Up! wraps up a successful weekend.
Occupational therapy plays key role in supporting children with autism.
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