GOP · Politics For Subscribers The GOP moves to South Carolina, the first red state battleground By David Woodard February 20, 2016 · 5:37 PM EST · Updated January 16, 2025 12:08 AM · 4 min read read Advertisement Saturday's Republican primary in South Carolina looks likely to boost the state's reputation as a hard-fought political battleground. Saturday's Republican primary in South Carolina looks likely to boost the state's reputation as a hard-fought political battleground.… Advertisement