Local candidates hosted political fish fry
A political fish fry held last Friday raised about $8,000 so far for South Carolina Democratic candidates, including gubernatorial nominee Dr. Jermaine Johnson, according to the chairman of the group that organized the event.
The fundraiser was organized by the South Carolina Independent Coordinating Campaign, a statewide organization formed June 25, 2026, to support Democratic nominees in the November general election. Organizers said the money raised will go directly to candidates, and contributions were still being accepted after the event.
“We were raising the money for the next governor of South Carolina, Dr. Jermaine Johnson, and we were raising the money for the other candidates for the nominees,” said E.W. Cromartie.
Johnson, a Democratic state representative, is running against Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson in the November 3 governor’s race.
Turnout push
Speakers included Richland County School District Councilwoman Angela Clyburn, Richland County Council candidate Jamie Devine, Rep. Leon Howard, Lt. Governor candidate Sam Skardon, and SC gubernatorial candidate Dr. Jermaine Johnson.
The speakers urged supporters to treat voter turnout as the campaign’s central task. The chairman said Democrats could win if at least 80% of registered voters participate, encouraging attendees to bring five people with them to the polls and for churches to provide vans and buses.
“Everybody got to carry each person who’s driving must carry five people to the polls, and the church vans and buses must be full,” Cromartie said.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Saturday, Oct. 31. Early voting centers will be open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; they are closed Sundays, including Oct. 25.
Organizers also publicized a ride-to-the-polls number provided by the Richland County Democratic Party: 803-939-5966.
Richland County voting sites
Richland County voters may use any of the county’s early voting locations, regardless of where they live in the county. The sites are:
• Richland County Voter Registration and Elections Office, 300 Columbia Mall Blvd., Suite 210, Columbia
• Columbia College Vandiver Commons, 4800 Burke Ave., Columbia
• University of South Carolina Blatt PE Building, 1300 Wheat St., Columbia
• Brookland Baptist Church Northeast, 1203 Summit Parkway, Columbia
• Ballentine Community Center, 1009 Bickley Rd., Irmo
• C.R. Neal Dream Center, 2441 Atlas Rd., Columbia
The county lists those sites for the 2026 statewide general election, with early voting hours of 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
How to help
Cromartie said people seeking more information about the coordinating campaign, or wishing to contribute, may call 803-609-4537.
“We got to vote like we’ve never voted before,” he said. “Faith without work is dead.”