As we wait for whatever the Senate does, a proposed map that is being distributed today throughout the House and dropped ahead of the House Judiciary’s first hearing tomorrow over redistricting.

Winthrop University protest thrusts racism claims, leadership fight into public view thestate.com/news/local/educ…

SC State University removes non-voting faculty, student representatives from university board postandcourier.com/education… #chsnews #scnews #HBCU

Evette backs lawmakers’ push to defund SC State after commencement controversy wistv.com/2026/05/01/group-l…

What happened at S.C. State University this week is emblematic of what's happening at institutions across our state and country, where the far left has silenced freedom of speech and pushed its radical, anti-American agenda for far too long. I applaud the members of the General Assembly who, like me, firmly believe that not one dime of taxpayer money should ever go to a school that discriminates against conservative views. It certainly won't happen when I'm governor.

If a Lt Gov can’t feel safe at your publicly funded institution for a commencement speech, then neither can my tax dollars. #defundDEI

Public universities exist to be a marketplace of ideas, not a gatekeeper of acceptable opinions. When a taxpayer-funded institution invites a speaker and then rescinds that invitation based on political pressure or ideological disagreement, it sends the wrong message to students and to the public. The role of a university is not to shield people from views they may disagree with, but to expose them to a wide range of perspectives and allow them to think critically. That principle becomes even more important, not less, when the speaker is a public official or a candidate for statewide office. Deciding which voices are allowed and which are not based on viewpoint undermines the very purpose of higher education and erodes trust in public institutions. Taxpayer-funded universities should reflect the full diversity of thought in our state, not just the views that are most comfortable or politically popular on campus. At the same time, I recognize that universities must balance competing concerns, including campus safety and the right of students to express disagreement. But those concerns cannot become a justification for silencing speech. If public institutions are going to serve all of the people of South Carolina, they must remain committed to open dialogue, intellectual diversity, and the principle that no viewpoint should be excluded from the public square. @PamelaEvette @IAmNickReynolds @JoeBReporter @wis10 @thestate @postandcourier