Trump (copy) (copy)

President Donald Trump. File/Andrew Harnik/AP

Don't try to read too much into this week's Pennsylvania congressional win by a Democrat in a Republican district as being applicable to South Carolina later this year.

A major factor in Democratic pickups in Pennsylvania — and the recent U.S. Senate race in Alabama — is that they came in special elections where there was only one duel on the ballot.

While Democrats in South Carolina say they will file candidates in all the major races, their odds remain long for the 2018 general election in November.

The governor's race is on the ballot this year, which means major GOP interest, as are the constitutional offices (all GOP held) and all seven seats in Congress (six held by Republicans).

College of Charleston political scientist Gibbs Knotts said whoever the GOP nominee is for governor, they will be well-funded at the top, with longer coattails than Democrats have. 

"I think it's going to be better for Democrats than in the past," he said, but added South Carolina in November is much different than a Pennsylvania House seat.

Still, there are wildcards, particularly if President Donald Trump's popularity dips.

"If it can happen in PA-18, it can happen here," said Democrat Joe Cunningham, who is looking to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford of Mount Pleasant in Congress.

"Conor Lamb just swung a district Trump won by 20 pts.," Cunningham said on social media. "Trump only got 53 percent here in SC-1. We can win!"

Republicans blow chance on Benghazi (copy) (copy)

Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. File/Cliff Owen/AP

Trey Gowdy has Congress' biggest student loan debt

It may be good timing for South Carolina U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy to retire.

The Spartanburg Republican carries the biggest student loan debt out of any member of Congress.

According to The Hill, Gowdy owed $150,000 for loans as of 2016.

The retiring House Oversight chairman is a member of one of the richest Congress makeups ever, but dozens of those on Capitol Hill hold student loan obligations, either personally or for a family member.

In Gowdy's case, the debt belongs to his son, daughter and wife.

"I have a child who finished three years of college and soon to be three years of law school, another child with three years of college and a spouse who went back to get her Masters in teaching," Gowdy told Palmetto Politics.

"Education is the pathway to prosperity, and I could not be happier to have made the investment.”

Gowdy is returning home to practice law after eight years in D.C.

Guns (copy)

A 10 percent tax on guns to fund school safety officers was defeated in the S.C. House. File

Gun tax fails in Statehouse

South Carolina House lawmakers have struggled with ways to put safety officers in South Carolina’s schools, and paying for them is the problem.

Two Democrats have proposed adding a 10 percent tax on gun sales.

“Putting highly trained officers in schools across the state, at no cost to taxpayers, should have been a no-brainer,” said Rep. Wendy Brawley, D-Hopkins.

Not in this state, which used to set aside a sales tax-free weekend for gun sales.

Republicans argued the state shouldn’t further hike the price of guns people need to protect themselves. Her proposal predictably went down in flames 80-35.

Gov. Henry McMaster's budget proposed hiring 75 officers for the state's poorest schools.

The governor changed his request after 17 people were gunned down at a Florida high school, saying every school should have an officer immediately, no matter the cost, which is unknown.

Cannabis oil as treatment for epilepsy now legal in South Carolina (copy)

Oils from hemp are being explored for medical relief. File

Cannabis oil for prison inmates

Legislators may allow prisoners with mental illnesses to choose CBD oil over prescription drugs to save money, if the federal government allows it.

The S.C. House approved putting a clause in the budget to study what’s possible.

“Psychosomatic drugs are extremely expensive,” said Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens.

Officials believe the non-psychoactive oil derived from hemp would be far cheaper for the state while providing “better benefits for the inmates,” he said.

Four years ago, the Legislature legalized the use of cannabidiol, or CBD, for people with severe epilepsy. But proposals to let the severely ill legally partake of marijuana have gone nowhere.

Pitts stressed CBD is not marijuana. He doesn’t expect a problem getting volunteers.

Mattis C17

Secretary of Defense James Mattis arrives in Manama, Bahrain. He recently traveled in a Joint Base Charleston Boeing C-17. Department of Defense/Provided

Charleston AFB shuttles more VIPS

The C-17s out of the Charleston Air Force Base most often move cargo around the world, but VIPS are hitching rides, too.

We told you last month that Vice President Mike Pence was ferried on trips to the Middle East, including Israel, on local C-17s.

Recently, Secretary of Defense James Mattis traveled on a Joint Base Charleston plane, which made a stop in Manama, Bahrain.

Schuyler Kropf and Seanna Adcox contributed.

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