After decades of being “on the outs” in Horry County, we Democrats have a real shot at making history on November 3, 2026. Recent national polls show Trump’s support is dropping rapidly—even here in “Solid Red” South Carolina. One big reason is the growing political, ethnic, and sexual diversity of our population, as well as increasing demands for equal justice under the law in fast-growing metro areas like ours—with Myrtle Beach leading the way.
We shouldn’t mistake this as a sharp turn to the “hard left,” but rather as a shift toward the reasonable middle. The drastic DOGE cuts and other starkly authoritarian excesses from the Trump administration have raised serious alarms across our great nation. Our part of South Carolina is no exception.
Of course, political hacks like Russell Fry continue to protect the interests of a super-wealthy minority rather than standing up for the middle class or those living in abject poverty (as he claims to have done growing up here). This aligns perfectly with the extreme authoritarian playbook crafted by Project 2025—despite Trump’s absurd claims that he knows absolutely nothing about it. That’s a doubtful assertion, given that many of his closest political allies and appointees helped write that blueprint for an Orban-style hostile takeover of our thriving democracy.
These cuts were sold by Trump, Vance, and Musk as a way to reduce government waste and save taxpayers money. However, most of them have actually increased the national debt due to the rightful reinstatement of fired personnel and the restoration of essential programs designed to protect forests, manage fire risks, control flooding, reduce wind damage, fund schools, and assist disaster relief agencies.
Sadly, for arrogant nepo-baby Elon Musk and his reckless team, harming these programs appears to be a feature, not a bug. Even the most traditionally “conservative” voices are now in open rebellion over such a wrong-headed approach to efficient governance.
Obviously, these extreme budget cuts can have a devastating impact on emergency preparedness and long-term environmental sustainability in a county already facing multiple natural hazards. Further reductions in funding could worsen our most persistent environmental challenges.
We must seize this moment. Trump’s collapsing poll numbers and Fry’s long string of failed or delayed legislative efforts give us the opening we need to flip Horry County blue.
Take forest management, for example: our woodlands play a vital role in controlling erosion, managing water runoff, and serving as natural firebreaks. Poor forest management leads to denser, overgrown areas that increase wildfire risk and reduce the forest’s natural ability to mitigate floods. Budget cuts may cause delays—or outright cancellations—of routine thinning and controlled burns, which are critical to reducing underbrush that fuels dangerous fires.
Numerous documented cases show that local wildfires, even small ones, have quickly overwhelmed emergency services due to limited resources. Without early detection and rapid response funding, minor fires can escalate into catastrophic ones. This puts long-term sustainability at risk, as unmanaged forests lose their regenerative capacity. These are among the many reasons why the DOGE cuts have deeply alarmed experts.
These events haven’t just threatened property—they’ve damaged air quality and public health. With a tighter budget, Horry County may struggle to maintain its top-tier firefighting units, reducing the speed and effectiveness of suppression efforts.
Public education campaigns that alert residents to wildfire risks may also be scaled back, leaving communities more vulnerable during dry seasons. Add to this Trump’s stated intention to defund NOAA and privatize essential weather and climate services, and our preparedness for severe weather becomes dangerously inadequate.
Horry County has also experienced increased flooding due to heavier rainfall, rising sea levels, and stronger storms tied to climate change. Infrastructure projects like improved drainage systems and riverbank reinforcements are essential. But reduced funding from DOGE may delay maintenance on these systems and flood barriers, leaving the county more vulnerable to sudden inundations.
Past floods have caused massive property damage and disrupted commerce—trends likely to worsen under these reckless cuts. Every service affected is crucial in the fastest-growing county in South Carolina, and all depend on consistent, adequate funding.
The infamous “chainsaw” cuts championed by Musk and his inexperienced tech-bro team have already compromised disaster mitigation efforts across the country. Every level of society depends on services now being gutted by these out-of-touch amateurs. While everyone faces risk, these across-the-board cuts have had the harshest impact on the poorest among us.
Individuals with special needs suffer the most. Food and housing insecurity, combined with chronic stress on parents and caregivers, creates a cycle of deteriorating health and worsening living conditions.
If this were a national election, Congressman Fry’s blind loyalty to the increasingly unpopular policies of Trump and Musk—and his parroting of MAGA’s absurd lie that all protestors in the 7th District are funded by George Soros—would tank his re-election chances.
But there is still a chance to unseat MAGA’s bought-and-paid-for candidate this year. There is hope. And that hope depends on a strategic, energized, and coordinated plan—driven by Democrats, disaffected Republicans, and Independents alike.
A Suggested Call to Action
As Democrats, our frustration is justified. But we must stay laser-focused on the mission: organizing, informing, and turning out voters to oppose reckless cuts and failed leadership at all levels of government.
Let’s turn our anger into action.
There are clear steps we can take to increase votes for our candidate in this election—even in a traditionally MAGA-friendly county like Horry:
1) Personal Voter Outreach
While social media plays a role, we must emphasize direct contact: phone banking and door-to-door canvassing remain powerful tools.
Through coordinated call campaigns, we can inform citizens about Fry’s failure to protect veterans and disabled residents, especially after the DOGE cuts. At the same time, we can highlight Democratic policies that protect veterans, support healthcare, and restore critical services.
We need boots on the ground—well-trained volunteers knocking on doors, focusing especially on neighborhoods with working-class families and veterans. Emphasize Fry’s silence and contrast it with Vincent’s proactive, compassionate plans.
2) Veterans’ Outreach
Enlist local veterans to share personal stories of how DOGE cuts have affected them—and how Fry has stood by and done nothing. These firsthand accounts are powerful, especially from those who’ve served our country.
Host more town halls so residents can speak openly about how they’ve been affected—and hear directly from Vincent. He’s a listener, a problem-solver, not just another politician.
3) Rapid Response Media Team
We need a nimble, local media response team to counter misinformation and amplify our message. This team can write letters to editors, conduct local interviews, and run targeted ads to keep our key points in front of voters.
Bottom Line
Congressman Fry’s indifference to the suffering caused by MAGA government cuts is undeniable. He has shown no interest in solving real problems.
By contrast, John Vincent’s compassion, experience, and commitment to action represent the best of what we can be.
Now is the time. We must organize smartly, work quickly, and connect with voters where they are—face-to-face, voice-to-voice, and heart-to-heart.
Let’s turn our outrage into action—and build toward a historic Democratic win in Horry County! The people deserve nothing less.
