The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD (Hour 1, Segment 1) aired on the morning of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, delivering a sharp critique of the state legislative gridlock after the South Carolina State Senate officially rejected a mid-decade redistricting push.Key Takeaways from Hour 1, Segment 1:Redistricting Collapse: Host Charlie James opened the segment breaking down the Senate's failure to pass the highly contested redistricting maps during the high-stakes special session called by Governor Henry McMaster.Focus on Luke Rankin: The show heavily featured and criticized a floor speech delivered by State Senator Luke Rankin (R-Myrtle Beach), the powerful Judiciary Committee Chairman. James analyzed Rankin's stance, framing the breakdown of the vote as a betrayal of the conservative base that expected a redrawn 6th Congressional District to maximize Republican electoral advantages ahead of the primaries.The "RINO" Critique: Consistent with the show's recent coverage of the state's shifting conservative landscape, James used the failed vote to target established Republican leadership in Columbia, labeling those who blocked or delayed the maps as establishment figures failing to fight the "radical left".Primary Election Impact: The segment emphasized the absolute chaos this creates for election officials and candidates, noting that the legislative failure coincided exactly with the launch of statewide early voting today for the June 9th primaries.
