Jessica Holdman

Jessica Holdman

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Jessica Holdman is a senior reporter for the SC Daily Gazette. She has more than a decade of newspaper experience, most recently with The Post and Courier. Before moving to South Carolina in 2019, she worked for newspapers in North Dakota, Washington and her home state of Missouri. Her reporting has won awards from the North Dakota and South Carolina press associations. Jessica reports on South Carolina’s workforce, the economy and higher education.

BMW battery plant nears completion in Upstate SC
South Carolina

BMW battery plant nears completion in Upstate SC

7:30am ET
Jessica Holdman
WOODRUFF — BMW will begin assembling battery packs for its new, South Carolina-built electric vehicles in December. The German automaker has already hired and begun training more than 300 people at the battery assembly plant near the town of Woodruff...
Former aide to John Lewis completes Democratic ticket for SC governor
South Carolina

Former aide to civil rights icon completes Democratic ticket for SC governor

Jul 30, 2026
Jessica Holdman
Editor’s note: This article was updated following Thursday’s news conference. COLUMBIA — Rep. Jermaine Johnson picked a former congressional aide to the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis to be his running mate on Democrats’ gubernatorial ticket. Mount Pleasant native Sam...
US Sen. Lindsey Graham remembered by his ‘beloved’ South Carolina: ‘He was us’
South Carolina

US Sen. Lindsey Graham remembered by his ‘beloved’ South Carolina: ‘He was us’

Jul 29, 2026
Jessica Holdman
COLUMBIA — The late Sen. Lindsey Graham was remembered Wednesday as a loyal, witty friend who embodied the American Dream and the state he loved. “The reason Lindsey resonated with us is because he was us,” former U.S. Rep. Trey...
President Donald Trump encourages Sen. Darline Graham to seek full, six-year term
South Carolina

President Trump encourages Sen. Darline Graham to seek full, 6-year term

Jul 17, 2026
Jessica Holdman
President Donald Trump took to social media Friday to urge the newly sworn-in Sen. Darline Graham, sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to run next month for a full term. “I hope Darline does this, in that there would be...
It’s official: SC Republicans already on the ballot can run for Senate too
South Carolina

It’s official: SC Republicans already on the ballot can run for Senate too

Jul 17, 2026
Jessica Holdman
COLUMBIA — Days before filing begins for the special GOP primary, the state Election Commission made clear that South Carolina candidates can run for multiple offices simultaneously. In other words, it’s perfectly legal for Republicans who are already on the...
Early voting is 3 weeks away in special GOP primary following Lindsey Graham’s death
South Carolina

Early voting is 3 weeks away in special GOP primary following Lindsey Graham’s death

Jul 15, 2026
Jessica Holdman
COLUMBIA — Voting begins in three weeks to determine who will replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham as the GOP nominee on November’s ballot. Only South Carolinians who voted in last month’s Republican contests or didn’t vote in the primaries...
‘Dollars and cents’: Lindsey Graham amassed influence, not Wall Street wealth, over 3 decades in DC
South Carolina

‘Dollars and cents’: Lindsey Graham amassed influence, not Wall Street wealth, over 3 decades in DC

Jul 15, 2026
Jessica Holdman
As South Carolina’s senior senator, the late Lindsey Graham amassed power and influence over three decades in Congress. But it appears he didn’t cash in on his access with stock trades. Members of Congress can legally — and commonly do...
SC governor appoints Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister to fulfill his term
South Carolina

SC governor appoints Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister to fulfill his term

Jul 13, 2026
Jessica Holdman
COLUMBIA — Darline Graham Nordone will finish out the term of her older brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who adopted and raised her following their parents’ deaths. Gov. Henry McMaster’s appointment Monday comes a day after word of Graham’s...
SC water utility hopes to fix poor reputation of a long-troubled system under newly merged company
South Carolina

SC utility hopes to fix poor reputation of a long-troubled system with merger

Jul 13, 2026
Jessica Holdman
COLUMBIA — South Carolina utility regulators signed off on a takeover by the state’s largest private water utility of a fellow private water system, one plagued by environmental issues and customer complaints. South Carolina Water Utility’s absorption of the former...
SC agency considers entering the carbon business to improve state forests
South Carolina

SC agency considers entering the carbon business to improve state forests

Jul 10, 2026
Jessica Holdman
COLUMBIA — South Carolina could generate money to manage the state’s protected forests by selling credits to polluting companies. Exactly how that might work remains unknown. The state Department of Natural Resources is paying a consultant nearly $110,000 to report...
University of Georgia provost named Clemson’s new president
South Carolina

University of Georgia provost named Clemson’s new president

Jul 09, 2026
Jessica Holdman
CLEMSON — Clemson University’s governing board on Thursday selected University of Georgia provost Benjamin Ayers as the college’s 16th president. Ayers’ selection to lead the 30,000-student university came four days after the previously chosen candidate, Kevin Guskiewicz, unexpectedly opted to...
SC back-to-school tax savings holiday set for Aug. 7-9
South Carolina

SC back-to-school tax savings holiday set for Aug. 7-9

Jul 08, 2026
Jessica Holdman
South Carolina shoppers can again take advantage of 72 hours of savings on school supplies, clothing, computers and more during the state’s annual sales tax holiday next month. Tax Free Weekend falls a little later this year: Aug. 7-9. That’s...