ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Just over a month into Donald Trump’s second presidency, 45% of South Carolinians approve of the way the president is handling his job. Of those who expressed an opinion – excluding those who are not sure – 53% approve.
Elon Musk – a prominent figure in the Trump administration – is seen as favorable among 38% of South Carolinians. Forty-one percent view him as unfavorable. Republicans and Democrats are strongly divided over Musk.
With the 2026 gubernatorial race on the horizon, South Carolinians are most familiar with names such as Nancy Mace and Alan Wilson out of six potential candidates. Over half of South Carolinians are very or somewhat familiar with Mace, the current congresswoman from South Carolina’s 1st Congressional district, and 39% are familiar with Wilson, the current attorney general for South Carolina.
The following are more GENERAL POPULATION results from the survey of South Carolinians:
For additional information or to set up an interview with Scott Huffmon, contact Judy Longshaw at longshawj@winthrop.edu or 803/323-2404 (office) or 803/984-0586 (cell).
Forty-five percent of all South Carolinians approve of the way President Trump is handling his job one month into his second presidency. Of those who expressed an opinion – excluding those who are not sure – 53% approve. The lower number for the full sample is the result of a higher than national number of respondents choosing the “not sure” option. This tracks with trends of higher numbers of African Americans and other non-white respondents choosing this option. According to the Census, just over 25 percent of South Carolinians are African American compared to 12.4% nationally. Just over 26% of respondents in our survey are African American.
According to Scott Huffmon, Director of the Winthrop Poll, “Even including those who responded ‘don’t know,’ President Trump’s approval rating is five points higher than his disapproval. This five-point advantage of approval over disapproval is equal to or larger than what recent national polls have shown. Republicans and Democrats are deeply divided over President Trump’s performance, but his approval is riding high among his base.”
While a quarter of South Carolinians are unsure of how they feel about how Governor Henry McMaster is handling his job, 43% approve of his job and 31% disapprove. Among those who expressed an opinion, a majority (58%) approve.
Huffmon noted, “Governor McMaster’s general approval rating is 12 points higher than his disapproval rating. This popularity is made more clear when you examine his numbers among those who expressed an opinion. Among those respondents, nearly 6 in 10 approve of the way the governor is handling his job.”
When it comes to the United State Senators for South Carolina, more South Carolinians approve of Tim Scott than Lindsey Graham, though less than half approve of the way either of them is handling their job. Among Republicans, 55% approve of Graham and 69% approve of Scott. Democrats are more sure of how they feel about Graham than they are Scott; 24% aren’t sure of Scott, while 15% aren’t sure of Graham.
Huffmon added, “As has been the case for a while, Senator Graham trails Senator Scott both generally and among the Republican base. Graham’s fortunes among Republicans in South Carolina seem to ebb and flow with his perceived support for President Trump.”
Regarding the 2020 presidential election, South Carolinians are split over whether they believe there was significant voter fraud that could have altered the outcome of the election between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, which Biden won. Among all respondents, 42% say they believe there was significant fraud, while 41% say they do not believe there was significant fraud. In this election in which a Democrat was declared the winner, a majority of Republicans believe there was fraud, and a majority of Democrats believe there was no fraud.
“Even though multiple investigations found no evidence of fraud in the 2020 presidential election, almost two-thirds of Republicans still echo Donald Trump’s claims of widespread vote tampering,” noted Huffmon.
Concerning the 2024 presidential election, a majority of South Carolinians (63%) believe there wasn’t significant fraud that could have altered the outcome of the election between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, which Trump won. Only 13% of Republicans say they believe there was fraud, while 78% said there wasn’t. Democrats are more split; 38% say they believe there was significant fraud, 48% say there wasn’t fraud, and 14% aren’t sure.
With Elon Musk a prevalent figure in President Donald Trump’s administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), respondents were asked whether they view Musk as favorable or unfavorable. With only 5% of South Carolinians unsure of how they feel about Musk, 41% view him as unfavorable, 38% as favorable, and 15% as neither favorable nor unfavorable. A majority of Republicans (67%) view Musk as favorable, while a greater majority of Democrats (79%) view him as unfavorable.
According to Huffmon, “Partisanship defines a strong divide over views of Elon Musk in South Carolina. These numbers are likely to be fluid and very dependent on Trump’s relationship with Musk.”
Sixty-two percent of South Carolinians think Musk has a lot of influence within Trump’s administration, while a plurality (41%) wants him to have no influence at all. Eighty-three percent of Democrats think Musk has a lot of influence within the administration, but 73% want him to have none at all. Eighty-seven percent of Republicans think he has a lot or a little influence in the administration, and 69% want him to keep at least some influence.
“The ways in which Musk has influenced the Trump administration has pleased South Carolina’s Republicans and seems to deeply concern S.C. Democrats. We have no way of predicting how the impact of DOGE will solidify or change these numbers as it continues to dramatically affect the shape and functions of the executive branch,” Huffmon added.
With campaigns for South Carolina’s 2026 gubernatorial race to soon begin, the Winthrop Poll asked South Carolinians for their familiarity with figures who may be running to become the Republican nominee: Nancy Mace, John Warren, Ralph Norman, Pamela Evette, Josh Kimbrell, and Alan Wilson.
Nancy Mace, the current congresswoman from South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, is the most well-known of the potential candidates with 52% of South Carolinians being either very or somewhat familiar with her. Alan Wilson, the current attorney general for South Carolina, is the next most well-known with 39% saying they are either very or somewhat familiar with him. South Carolinians are the least familiar with Josh Kimbrell, a current member of the South Carolina State Senate from the 11th S.C. Senate District, and John Warren, a South Carolina businessman who previously ran for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2018. The same patterns exist when looking at Republicans and at Republicans who voted in the February 2024 Republican Presidential Primary.
Huffmon stated, “Importantly, both Mace and Wilson, often touted as leading candidates at this early stage, have extremely high name recognition among those respondents who might be perceived as most likely to vote in a Republican primary. Among Republicans who reported having voted in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary, Mace is recognized by more than two-thirds and Wilson is recognized by more than half. In fact, several potential candidates have a notable base they can build upon rather than having to spend money to achieve name recognition."
Republicans and Democrats in South Carolina are on the same page regarding their trust in the federal government to do what is best for people. When asked to indicate their agreement with the phrase “I generally trust the federal government to do what is best for the people,” 41% within each party say they either disagree or strongly disagree.
Huffmon surmised, “Lack of trust in the federal government likely stems from different sources for Democrats and Republicans. Republican control of Congress and the presidency, as well as a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, likely drives Democrats’ distrust in the federal government. It is possible that Republican distrust in the federal government is driven by Trump and other Republican leaders decrying the influence of the ‘deep state’ for years despite the fact that Trump is now the president and Republicans control Congress.”
When asked the same regarding the South Carolina government, 43% say they trust the state government to do what is best for people. Republicans are more trusting in the state government than are Democrats. A majority of Republicans (65%) agree or strongly agree with the statement saying they trust the South Carolina government to do what is best for the people compared to 30% of Democrats. Forty-seven percent of Democrats disagree or strongly disagree with the statement.
“With Republican control of both the S.C. Legislature and the Governor’s mansion, it is no surprise that a significantly higher number of Republicans express trust in the state government,” according to Huffmon.
When it comes to trust in officials from different parties, South Carolinians are slightly more trusting in Republican officials to do what is best for people than they are Democratic officials.
Three-quarters of South Carolinians support deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally. Support for the deportation of those who are in the U.S. illegally is especially strong among Republicans with 90% in agreement. Among Democrats, 61% support and 39% oppose.
South Carolinians are split over using active-duty military to find and detain undocumented immigrants in U.S. cities and towns. Fifty-one percent support this, while 49% oppose it. Over three-quarters of Republicans support this use of active-duty military, while 73% of Democrats oppose.
A majority of South Carolinians (53%) oppose quickly deporting detained immigrants, which can involve separating families or sending people to countries other than their country of origin. Republicans and Democrats again differ with 69% of Republicans in support of speedy deportations and 79% of Democrats in opposition.
Just over half of South Carolinians oppose deporting immigrants that came to the U.S. illegally as children. Seventy-nine percent of Democrats are in opposition, while 67% of Republicans support the deportation of these immigrants.
Sixty-six percent of South Carolinians oppose using money allocated to the U.S. military to pay for deportation. Just over half of Republicans (53%) support using military funds for deportation, while a strong majority of Democrats (80%) are in opposition.
When it comes to deporting immigrants who are in the country legally, 70% of South Carolinians are in opposition. Republicans and Democrats are in agreement with 61% of Republicans and 78% of Democrats opposing the deportation of immigrants in the U.S. legally.
A majority of white South Carolinians (71%) say they haven’t felt like they’ve been discriminated against because of their race or ethnicity in the past year, but nearly half of Black South Carolinians (48%) say they have.
While a majority of both men and women say they haven’t felt like they’ve been discriminated against in the past year because of their sex or gender, 33% of women say they have felt discriminated against compared to 16% of men.
In the past year, nearly half of South Carolinians (46%) say there has been a time when they felt they could not express their political opinions out of fear of being verbally attacked or harassed, while 47% have not felt this way.
When asked how much discrimination exists in society today against Black people, Black respondents and Democrats are far more likely to say “a lot” than are white respondents and Republicans. Only 1% of Black respondents and 2% of Democrats say there is no discrimination against Black people at all. When it comes to discrimination against white people, the opposite is true; white respondents and Republicans are more likely to say “a lot” or “some” discrimination exists than are Black respondents and Democrats.
Democrats are over two times as likely to say a lot of discrimination exists against gay, lesbian, and transgender people in society today than are Republicans.
When asked about how much discrimination exists against women, women and Democrats are more likely to say “a lot” than are men and Republicans. The opposite is true for discrimination against men. Men and Republicans are more likely to say that “a lot” or “some” discrimination exists against men than are women and Democrats.
When it comes to discrimination against Christians, Republicans are more likely to say there is “a lot” of discrimination against this group than are Democrats.
**NOTE: Because tariffs were being both imposed and rescinded while this poll was in the field, attitudes on tariffs should be considered in flux.**
When asked to select which of four descriptions of how tariffs work is most accurate, half of South Carolinians (51%) chose correctly. The four descriptions were displayed in a random order for each respondent to help mitigate order bias.
Sixty-seven percent of South Carolinians believe tariffs on imported goods will lead to higher prices on food, electronics, and other goods.
Thirty-nine percent support tariffs on imports from rivals like China, but not allies like Canada, while 28% oppose and 33% neither support nor oppose. Nearly half of Republicans (46%) support tariffs on rivals but not on allies as opposed to 35% of Democrats.
Thirty-four percent of South Carolinians do not agree that tariffs on imported goods will lead to more jobs in the U.S. Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to believe that tariffs will increase US jobs. Among Republicans, 48% believe tariffs will lead to more jobs. Among Democrats, only 16% say the same.
Despite a majority of South Carolinians believing tariffs will lead to higher prices on many goods, only 25% are stocking up on items they think will cost more if the U.S. enacts tariffs on imports. Republicans (23%) are stocking up less than Democrats (34%).
Respondents were asked how well certain phrases describe the Democratic and Republican parties. The questions were asked in a random order.
South Carolinians are more likely to say the phrases “respectful and tolerant of different types of people” and “supports policies that interfere too much in people’s lives” describe the Democratic party very or somewhat well than the Republican party.
The phrases “governs in an honest and ethical way,” “is good at getting their way,” “is willing to do what it takes to win elections,” and “will not compromise to achieve their goals” were associated more with the Republican party than the Democratic party among South Carolinians.
Nearly even percentages of South Carolinians believe the phrases “too extreme in its positions” and “respects the country’s democratic institutions and traditions” describe both the Democratic and Republican parties well.
Huffmon reported, “Breaking these numbers down by party identification shows that partisan attitudes continue to show strong polarization.”
Most South Carolinians (35%) prefer to leave monuments or memorials to Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War where they are, but to add a plaque or marker for context and historical interpretation. Most white South Carolinians say the same (38%) or to simply leave them as they are (39%). Most Black South Carolinians prefer to move them to a museum (27%) or to leave them but add a plaque or marker (26%).
Republicans and Democrats differ in preference for what to do with these monuments and memorials, as well. Forty-five percent of Republicans want to leave them just as they are, while 30% of Democrats prefer to move them to a museum and another 29% are fine with leaving them but want to add a plaque or marker for context and historical interpretation.
Regarding the Confederate battle flag, 33% of South Carolinians think the flag is a symbol of Southern pride, while 26% see it more a symbol of racial conflict. Thirty percent view the flag as equally both. Most white South Carolinians and Republicans see the flag as a symbol of Southern pride and most Black respondents and Democrats see it more as a symbol of racial conflict.
Nearly half of South Carolinians (46%) think the Civil War was equally about slavery and states’ rights. Most white and Black South Carolinians agree that the Civil War was about slavery and states’ rights. Most Republicans agree, but most Democrats think the Civil War was mainly about slavery.
According to Huffmon, “Despite constant hopes that Confederate symbols will lose their divisive nature in South Carolina, these data and past trends show that not to be the case.”
NOTE: As a public institution, it is the policy of the Winthrop Poll to interview the general public more frequently than any particular subgroup. Consultants, candidates, and those deeply involved in politics often like to focus on key subgroups, such as likely voters. Surveys of potential voters are crucial when tracking voter sentiment leading up to an election. However, the Winthrop Poll hopes to give voice to all of South Carolina’s citizens, whether or not they pay close attention to current events and political matters, as often as possible.
RESULTS MAY NOT SUM TO 100 DUE TO ROUNDING
NOTE: Political Independents are included in “All Respondents” and do not always have attitudes “in between” Republicans and Democrats. They are also often more likely to respond to questions with Not Sure or No Answer.
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as President of the United States?
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) MOE+/-4.63 |
All Respondents Who Expressed an Opinion |
Democrats (not including leaners) MOE+/-5.55 |
All Respondents |
|
Approve |
81 |
53 |
10 |
45 |
|
Disapprove |
8 |
47 |
81 |
40 |
|
Not sure |
11 |
-- |
9 |
16 |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Henry McMaster is handling his job as Governor of South Carolina?
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents Who Expressed an Opinion |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Approve |
71 |
58 |
15 |
43 |
|
Disapprove |
10 |
42 |
63 |
31 |
|
Not sure |
19 |
-- |
22 |
26 |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Lindsey Graham is handling his job as a United States Senator for South Carolina?
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents Who Expressed an Opinion |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Approve |
55 |
45 |
16 |
34 |
|
Disapprove |
20 |
55 |
69 |
42 |
|
Not sure |
26 |
-- |
15 |
24 |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Tim Scott is handling his job as a United States Senator for South Carolina?
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents Who Expressed an Opinion |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Approve |
69 |
59 |
18 |
42 |
|
Disapprove |
9 |
41 |
58 |
29 |
|
Not sure |
22 |
-- |
24 |
29 |
Thinking back to the presidential election of 2020, do you believe there was significant voter fraud that could have altered the outcome of the election?
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Yes |
64 |
25 |
42 |
|
No |
22 |
67 |
41 |
|
Not sure |
14 |
9 |
17 |
Thinking back to the presidential election of 2024, do you believe there was significant voter fraud that could have altered the outcome of the election?
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Yes |
13 |
38 |
21 |
|
No |
78 |
48 |
63 |
|
Not sure |
9 |
14 |
16 |
Would you say that your view of Elon Musk is generally...
|
|
All Respondents |
Combined |
|
Very Favorable |
21 |
38 |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
17 |
|
|
Neither |
15 |
15 |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
10 |
41 |
|
Very Unfavorable |
31 |
|
|
Not sure |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very Favorable |
40 |
6 |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
27 |
5 |
|
Neither |
15 |
8 |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
8 |
13 |
|
Very Unfavorable |
6 |
66 |
|
Prefer not to answer |
4 |
3 |
How much influence do you think Elon Musk has within Donald Trump's administration?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
62 |
53 |
83 |
|
A little |
23 |
34 |
7 |
|
Not sure |
12 |
10 |
7 |
|
None at all |
4 |
4 |
4 |
How much influence do you want Elon Musk to have within Donald Trump's administration?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
19 |
32 |
10 |
|
A little |
24 |
37 |
8 |
|
Not sure |
17 |
17 |
9 |
|
None at all |
41 |
14 |
73 |
We’re going to show the names of some candidates who may be running to become the Republican Nominee for the 2026 South Carolina Governor’s race. Please tell us if you are very familiar, somewhat familiar, not very familiar, or not at all familiar with each person.
[Questions from tables 10-15 displayed in random order]
Nancy Mace, the current Congresswoman from South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District
|
|
Statewide Republicans Who Voted in Republican Presidential Primary MOE+/-5.91 |
Statewide Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Very familiar |
32 |
27 |
24 |
|
Somewhat familiar |
37 |
30 |
28 |
|
Not very familiar |
13 |
18 |
20 |
|
Not at all familiar |
18 |
25 |
28 |
John Warren, a South Carolina businessman who previously ran for the Republican nomination for Governor
|
|
Statewide Republicans Who Voted in Republican Presidential Primary |
Statewide Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Very familiar |
13 |
10 |
7 |
|
Somewhat familiar |
24 |
20 |
17 |
|
Not very familiar |
29 |
30 |
30 |
|
Not at all familiar |
34 |
41 |
46 |
Ralph Norman, the current Congressman from South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District
|
|
Statewide Republicans Who Voted in Republican Presidential Primary |
Statewide Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Very familiar |
17 |
13 |
12 |
|
Somewhat familiar |
24 |
22 |
20 |
|
Not very familiar |
27 |
26 |
27 |
|
Not at all familiar |
32 |
39 |
42 |
Pamela Evette, the current Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
|
|
Statewide Republicans Who Voted in Republican Presidential Primary |
Statewide Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Very familiar |
16 |
11 |
9 |
|
Somewhat familiar |
32 |
27 |
23 |
|
Not very familiar |
28 |
30 |
30 |
|
Not at all familiar |
24 |
33 |
39 |
Josh Kimbrell, a current member of the South Carolina State Senate from the 11th SC Senate District
|
|
Statewide Republicans Who Voted in Republican Presidential Primary |
Statewide Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Very familiar |
11 |
7 |
6 |
|
Somewhat familiar |
22 |
19 |
15 |
|
Not very familiar |
27 |
29 |
31 |
|
Not at all familiar |
41 |
44 |
48 |
Alan Wilson, the current Attorney General for South Carolina
|
|
Statewide Republicans Who Voted in Republican Presidential Primary |
Statewide Republicans (not including leaners) |
All Respondents |
|
Very familiar |
27 |
18 |
15 |
|
Somewhat familiar |
28 |
26 |
24 |
|
Not very familiar |
25 |
26 |
27 |
|
Not at all familiar |
21 |
30 |
34 |
[Questions from tables 16-17 displayed in random order]
I generally trust the Federal Government to do what is best for the people.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
16 |
11 |
18 |
|
Disagree |
28 |
30 |
23 |
|
Undecided |
26 |
25 |
22 |
|
Agree |
23 |
26 |
27 |
|
Strongly agree |
7 |
9 |
10 |
I generally trust the South Carolina Government to do what is best for the people.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
14 |
6 |
23 |
|
Disagree |
17 |
10 |
24 |
|
Undecided |
27 |
19 |
24 |
|
Agree |
34 |
50 |
23 |
|
Strongly agree |
9 |
15 |
7 |
[Questions from tables 18-19 displayed in random order]
I generally trust Republican elected officials to do what is best for the people.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
20 |
3 |
44 |
|
Disagree |
18 |
5 |
28 |
|
Undecided |
22 |
17 |
15 |
|
Agree |
30 |
55 |
7 |
|
Strongly agree |
10 |
19 |
6 |
I generally trust Democratic elected officials to do what is best for the people.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
24 |
41 |
6 |
|
Disagree |
21 |
26 |
7 |
|
Undecided |
23 |
16 |
15 |
|
Agree |
23 |
11 |
50 |
|
Strongly agree |
10 |
6 |
23 |
To what extent do you support or oppose the following?
[Questions from tables 20-25 displayed in random order]
Deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly support |
48 |
71 |
25 |
|
Somewhat support |
27 |
19 |
36 |
|
Somewhat oppose |
16 |
7 |
25 |
|
Strongly oppose |
8 |
4 |
14 |
Using active duty military to find and detain undocumented immigrants in U.S. cities and towns.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly support |
25 |
45 |
11 |
|
Somewhat support |
26 |
32 |
16 |
|
Somewhat oppose |
20 |
15 |
20 |
|
Strongly oppose |
29 |
8 |
53 |
Quickly deporting detained immigrants, even if it involves separating families or sending people to countries other than their country of origin.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly support |
20 |
36 |
7 |
|
Somewhat support |
23 |
33 |
14 |
|
Somewhat oppose |
24 |
21 |
24 |
|
Strongly oppose |
32 |
11 |
55 |
Deporting immigrants that came to the U.S. illegally as children.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly support |
20 |
34 |
8 |
|
Somewhat support |
25 |
33 |
12 |
|
Somewhat oppose |
28 |
23 |
30 |
|
Strongly oppose |
27 |
11 |
49 |
Using money allocated to the U.S. military to pay for deportation.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly support |
11 |
19 |
7 |
|
Somewhat support |
23 |
34 |
14 |
|
Somewhat oppose |
27 |
25 |
21 |
|
Strongly oppose |
39 |
22 |
59 |
Deporting immigrants who are in the country legally.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly support |
17 |
27 |
9 |
|
Somewhat support |
14 |
12 |
13 |
|
Somewhat oppose |
17 |
17 |
17 |
|
Strongly oppose |
53 |
44 |
61 |
In the past year, do you feel that you have been discriminated against because of your race or ethnicity?
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Yes |
29 |
21 |
48 |
27 |
29 |
|
No |
60 |
71 |
37 |
67 |
61 |
|
Not sure |
11 |
8 |
15 |
7 |
11 |
In the past year, do you feel that you have been discriminated against because of your sex or gender?
|
|
All Respondents |
Men |
Women |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Yes |
25 |
16 |
33 |
19 |
29 |
|
No |
67 |
78 |
58 |
75 |
61 |
|
Not sure |
8 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
9 |
In the past year, has there been a time when you felt that you could not express your political opinions out of fear of being verbally attacked or harassed?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Yes |
46 |
46 |
43 |
|
No |
47 |
50 |
50 |
|
Not sure |
8 |
5 |
7 |
Based on what you may know or have heard, which of the following is the most accurate description of how tariffs work?
(options 1-4 listed in random order)
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Tariffs are taxes imposed by a country on goods and services imported from another country, paid by the importer, which can lead to higher prices for consumers. |
51 |
49 |
54 |
|
Tariffs are taxes imposed by one country on goods and services exported to another country, paid directly by the exporting country's government to the importing country's government. |
20 |
24 |
19 |
|
Tariffs are agreements between countries that limit the quantity of certain goods and services that can be traded, with penalties paid by the country exceeding the agreed-upon limits. |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
Tariffs are subsidies provided by a country to its domestic producers to make their goods and services more competitive against imports, paid for by the importing country's consumers. |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
Don’t know |
16 |
13 |
13 |
**NOTE: Because tariffs were being both imposed and rescinded while this poll was in the field, attitudes on tariffs should be considered in flux.**
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
[Questions from tables 30-33 displayed in random order]
Tariffs on imported goods will lead to higher prices on food, electronics and other goods.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
Disagree |
5 |
9 |
1 |
|
Neither |
25 |
32 |
11 |
|
Agree |
38 |
41 |
36 |
|
Strongly agree |
29 |
15 |
49 |
I support tariffs on imports from rivals like China, but not allies like Canada.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
10 |
8 |
14 |
|
Disagree |
18 |
17 |
21 |
|
Neither |
33 |
28 |
30 |
|
Agree |
29 |
35 |
27 |
|
Strongly agree |
10 |
11 |
8 |
Tariffs on imported goods will lead to more jobs in the U.S.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
13 |
4 |
26 |
|
Disagree |
21 |
13 |
33 |
|
Neither |
36 |
36 |
26 |
|
Agree |
22 |
35 |
13 |
|
Strongly agree |
7 |
13 |
3 |
I am stocking up on items that I think will cost more if the U.S. enacts tariffs on imports.
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Strongly disagree |
17 |
19 |
11 |
|
Disagree |
28 |
36 |
25 |
|
Neither |
30 |
23 |
30 |
|
Agree |
17 |
16 |
23 |
|
Strongly agree |
8 |
7 |
11 |
We want to ask you how well you feel certain phrases describe both the Democratic and Republican Parties.
[Questions from tables 34-49 displayed in random order]
How well does the phrase “too extreme in its positions” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
32 |
52 |
12 |
|
Somewhat well |
19 |
22 |
15 |
|
Not very well |
22 |
14 |
34 |
|
Not at all well |
14 |
4 |
31 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
13 |
8 |
7 |
How well does the phrase “governs in an honest and ethical way” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
15 |
4 |
41 |
|
Somewhat well |
25 |
12 |
45 |
|
Not very well |
19 |
23 |
7 |
|
Not at all well |
31 |
54 |
4 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
11 |
7 |
4 |
How well does the phrase “respectful and tolerant of different types of people” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
25 |
11 |
53 |
|
Somewhat well |
29 |
21 |
36 |
|
Not very well |
14 |
23 |
4 |
|
Not at all well |
21 |
37 |
2 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
11 |
8 |
5 |
How well does the phrase “respects the country’s democratic institutions and traditions” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
22 |
9 |
53 |
|
Somewhat well |
26 |
19 |
35 |
|
Not very well |
16 |
25 |
3 |
|
Not at all well |
23 |
40 |
4 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
12 |
8 |
6 |
How well does the phrase “supports policies that interfere too much in people’s lives” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
29 |
46 |
14 |
|
Somewhat well |
21 |
25 |
14 |
|
Not very well |
20 |
12 |
32 |
|
Not at all well |
15 |
8 |
31 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
14 |
9 |
9 |
How well does the phrase “too extreme in its positions” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
30 |
11 |
60 |
|
Somewhat well |
21 |
21 |
20 |
|
Not very well |
20 |
31 |
7 |
|
Not at all well |
17 |
30 |
5 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
12 |
8 |
8 |
How well does the phrase “governs in an honest and ethical way” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
17 |
35 |
5 |
|
Somewhat well |
27 |
44 |
8 |
|
Not very well |
17 |
10 |
21 |
|
Not at all well |
28 |
5 |
60 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
11 |
7 |
6 |
How well does the phrase “respectful and tolerant of different types of people” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
19 |
36 |
7 |
|
Somewhat well |
25 |
42 |
10 |
|
Not very well |
15 |
12 |
18 |
|
Not at all well |
29 |
4 |
62 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
11 |
7 |
4 |
How well does the phrase “respects the country’s democratic institutions and traditions” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
21 |
41 |
7 |
|
Somewhat well |
26 |
35 |
12 |
|
Not very well |
17 |
11 |
20 |
|
Not at all well |
26 |
6 |
56 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
11 |
8 |
5 |
How well does the phrase “supports policies that interfere too much in people’s lives” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
26 |
13 |
49 |
|
Somewhat well |
20 |
18 |
19 |
|
Not very well |
21 |
30 |
12 |
|
Not at all well |
19 |
29 |
10 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
14 |
9 |
10 |
How well does the phrase “is good at getting their way” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
18 |
31 |
9 |
|
Somewhat well |
29 |
35 |
23 |
|
Not very well |
24 |
17 |
38 |
|
Not at all well |
13 |
7 |
19 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
15 |
10 |
10 |
How well does the phrase “is good at getting their way” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
24 |
15 |
45 |
|
Somewhat well |
34 |
35 |
35 |
|
Not very well |
19 |
29 |
7 |
|
Not at all well |
9 |
9 |
6 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
15 |
12 |
6 |
How well does the phrase “is willing to do what it takes to win elections” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
31 |
52 |
16 |
|
Somewhat well |
25 |
23 |
26 |
|
Not very well |
20 |
11 |
33 |
|
Not at all well |
12 |
8 |
19 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
12 |
7 |
7 |
How well does the phrase “is willing to do what it takes to win elections” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
35 |
23 |
57 |
|
Somewhat well |
27 |
30 |
25 |
|
Not very well |
16 |
24 |
6 |
|
Not at all well |
10 |
15 |
6 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
12 |
9 |
6 |
How well does the phrase “will not compromise to achieve their goals” describe the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
20 |
27 |
18 |
|
Somewhat well |
26 |
23 |
30 |
|
Not very well |
21 |
17 |
26 |
|
Not at all well |
19 |
24 |
16 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
15 |
9 |
10 |
How well does the phrase “will not compromise to achieve their goals” describe the REPUBLICAN PARTY?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very well |
25 |
22 |
37 |
|
Somewhat well |
30 |
36 |
24 |
|
Not very well |
19 |
23 |
16 |
|
Not at all well |
12 |
10 |
15 |
|
Not sure/prefer not to answer |
14 |
9 |
8 |
Please tell us how much discrimination there is against each of these groups in our society today.
[Questions from tables 50-55 displayed in random order]
In our society today, how much discrimination is there against Black people?
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
43 |
29 |
76 |
22 |
66 |
|
Some |
37 |
44 |
19 |
45 |
30 |
|
Only a little |
15 |
20 |
3 |
24 |
2 |
|
None at all |
6 |
7 |
1 |
8 |
2 |
In our society today, how much discrimination is there against White people?
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
14 |
17 |
5 |
21 |
7 |
|
Some |
29 |
36 |
13 |
39 |
15 |
|
Only a little |
28 |
26 |
35 |
27 |
29 |
|
None at all |
29 |
21 |
47 |
14 |
49 |
In our society today, how much discrimination is there against Gays, Lesbians, and Transgender people?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
49 |
31 |
69 |
|
Some |
31 |
38 |
25 |
|
Only a little |
14 |
23 |
3 |
|
None at all |
7 |
8 |
3 |
In our society today, how much discrimination is there against Women?
|
|
All Respondents |
Men |
Women |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
30 |
21 |
38 |
18 |
45 |
|
Some |
43 |
42 |
44 |
46 |
42 |
|
Only a little |
19 |
27 |
14 |
27 |
11 |
|
None at all |
7 |
11 |
4 |
9 |
3 |
In our society today, how much discrimination is there against Men?
|
|
All Respondents |
Men |
Women |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
13 |
19 |
7 |
15 |
9 |
|
Some |
27 |
35 |
20 |
31 |
18 |
|
Only a little |
31 |
27 |
35 |
29 |
32 |
|
None at all |
30 |
20 |
38 |
25 |
41 |
In our society today, how much discrimination is there against Christians?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
21 |
28 |
15 |
|
Some |
36 |
39 |
33 |
|
Only a little |
24 |
22 |
24 |
|
None at all |
20 |
12 |
28 |
Which of the following comes closest to your opinion about what to do with monuments or memorials to Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War?
(options 1-4 listed in random order)
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Leave them just as they are |
33 |
39 |
20 |
45 |
21 |
|
Leave them, but add a plaque or marker for context and historical interpretation |
35 |
38 |
26 |
39 |
29 |
|
Move them to a museum |
17 |
13 |
27 |
10 |
30 |
|
Remove them completely |
7 |
4 |
15 |
3 |
14 |
|
Not sure |
8 |
5 |
12 |
3 |
6 |
Some people say the confederate battle flag reminds them of white supremacy and racial conflict. Other people say the confederate battle flag is a symbol of southern heritage and pride.
Do you think the flag is more a symbol of racial conflict or of southern pride?
(options 1-2 listed in random order)
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Racial Conflict |
26 |
19 |
42 |
12 |
48 |
|
Southern Pride |
33 |
44 |
8 |
53 |
13 |
|
Equally Both |
30 |
27 |
37 |
28 |
31 |
|
Not sure |
11 |
10 |
14 |
7 |
9 |
In your opinion, was the Civil War mainly about slavery, mainly about states’ rights, or about both equally?
(options 1-2 listed in random order)
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Slavery |
27 |
24 |
35 |
18 |
44 |
|
States’ rights |
19 |
22 |
11 |
31 |
7 |
|
Equally Both |
46 |
46 |
45 |
46 |
41 |
|
Not sure |
9 |
8 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
The February 2025 Winthrop Poll was an online survey conducted and paid for by Winthrop University. The survey is a sample of adult residents of South Carolina. The sample includes a non-probability sample from an online panel curated by Dynata. Data from 1,220 (weighted) respondents were collected between February 21 and March 5, 2025. Results using all respondents have a margin of error of +/-2.81% at the 95% confidence level (weighted data). All subgroups will have a higher margin of error.
The February 2025 Winthrop Poll was conducted online and was paid for by Winthrop University (1, 2). The online sample is a non-probability sample drawn from panels of adult residents of South Carolina curated by and purchased from Dynata and were targeted to match South Carolina Census demographics (4, 5). Data were weighted on sex, race, and age based on data from the US Census Bureau (9). Full question wording for released results is included (3). Participants responded using CAWI via computer or smartphone; the survey averaged 18 minutes (6). Data were collected between February 21 and March 5, 2025 (7). Weighted data include a sample of 1,220 respondents which translates to a margin of error of +/-2.81% at the 95% confidence level for results using all respondents; all subgroups will have a higher margin of error (8). Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research personnel conducted quality control by eliminating data with inappropriate responses (didn’t match the question asked), “line” data (strings of the same number punched in in a long row), or completions recorded too quickly for an individual to have actually read the questions for data collected online (10). All survey research contains unmeasured error and results should be seen as informative, not definitive (11).
Numbers correspond to the AAPOR Transparency Initiative Disclosure Elements found HERE.
