Written by Tony J. Spain, Palmetto Examiner
August 8, 2025
While the South Carolina Governor’s race is heating up; drawing national attention, another lesser-known political contest with national implications in the Republican Party is also underway. That is the race for South Carolina Republican National Executive Committeeman which was left vacant by the sudden death of Rock Hill, S.C. Republican Glenn McCall who held the seat for seventeen years.
It was previously believed former SCGOP chairman Chad Connelly was a shoo-in for the seat with the backing of state party chairman Drew McKissick, and as conventional wisdom goes, party chairmen usually have great influence over the selection, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
In the last two weeks of the race, Richland County GOP chairman and underdog challenger, Tyson Grinstead, has turned the tables, according to my sources familiar with the election process, who also say the election could happen as early as Saturday before the GOP Silver Elephant Gala in Columbia.
Grinstead, who recently returned from the White House after meeting with members of the Trump administration, said he “had a great visit with staff at the White House.”
“The SCGOP needs to elect a National Committeeman who supports President Trump and his team, Grinstead posted on Facebook with a photo of him outside the WestWing. “That’s how you keep ‘First in the South’, and I’m already working to keep it!”
“First in the South” refers to the Palmetto State’s important position of holding the first republican presidential primary in the South. The winner of South Carolina’s first in the south presidential primary has secured the nomination in seven of eight contested primaries since its inception in 1980.
Connelly has argued his seniority veteran status and experience within the party is what really matters to help keep “First in the South” for South Carolina republicans and new face would have to work from the bottom.
“If people care about ‘First in the South’, they’re going to pay attention to seniority. They’re going to vote for me.” Connelly told FITS News last month. “I won’t walk in at number 168.”
Grinstead doesn’t believe anyone owes their vote to experience alone and says he also has the experience in the trenches of Republican politics himself.
“Seniority doesn’t win. Fighters do. This job isn’t about who has been around the longest. It’s about who’s best prepared to protect First in the South and win for South Carolina,” Grinstead said. “For over 20 years, I’ve fought in the trenches of Republican politics; knocking on doors and organizing victories since 2002, leading early vote strategy in 2014, Three-time Trump Delegate and 2024 Electoral College member, building strong relationships across the RNC and White House.”
Grinstead said he’s the fighter that will keep South Carolina first on the national stage.
“Now, I’m ready to fight, fight, fight, for South Carolina and make sure no one takes our spot on the national stage,” he said.
The Republican National Committee is the entity responsible for drafting the GOP platform and branding/fundraising for “Republican” candidates. Its governing body is made up of 168 members, including a state party chairman, national executive committeeman and national executive committeewoman from all fifty states.
The South Carolina GOP executive committee who will elect either Connelly or Grinstead, is comprised of county executive committee members from all 46 counties, the state’s party chairman, first vice chairman, a national committeeman and a national committeewoman. The winner will need 25 votes to win.
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