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by WILL FOLKS
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An intensifying debate over how to best relieve South Carolina families struggling amid soaring fuel costs has spilled over into the Palmetto State’s U.S. Senate race.
This week, Democrat nominee Annie Andrews – who is facing off this fall against “Republican” Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late U.S. senator Lindsey Graham – announced her support for the temporary suspension of both federal gas and diesel taxes.
Andrews has previously called for a suspension of the federal tax on diesel fuel, which has stood at 24.4 cents per gallon since October 1993. The federal gasoline tax is currently 18.4 cents per gallon.
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It’s time to lower the damn diesel.
— Dr. Annie Andrews (@AnnieAndrewsMD) September 14, 2026
Diesel just hit the highest price ever recorded in America — more than $6 a gallon — up from $3.71 last year.
Farmers, truckers, shrimpers, small businesses, and families need relief now — not more excuses from Washington. Suspend the diesel… pic.twitter.com/LtO991tL8L
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“I know how quickly filling up the tank adds up when you’re driving kids to school, practice, or a friend’s house,” Andrews said in a news release. “As I’ve traveled across South Carolina, I’ve heard the same thing from families and workers everywhere: more and more of their paycheck is going toward filling up the tank. That’s why I called for the gas tax to be suspended weeks ago because no one should have to choose between putting food on the table and filling up their tank.”
“It’s not just gas,” Andrews added. “Diesel has now hit a record high, putting even more pressure on farmers, truckers, shrimpers, and small businesses across our state. It’s time to suspend the diesel tax and lower the damn diesel.”
As we reported earlier this week, gas prices have soared in the Palmetto State by 50.36% since December, while diesel prices have skyrocketed by 76.94% over the same time period. Those increases are severely hamstringing household budgets – while at the same time raising prices on goods and services via elevated shipping costs.
South Carolinians have historically suffered more at the pump than their national peers due to the state’s chronically low income levels – which force citizens to spend a higher share of what they earn on fuel costs. According to an analysis conducted last fall by FinanceBuzz, South Carolinians spent 2.82% of their income at the gas pump – well above the national average of 2.28%.
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RELATED | FREEDOM CAUCUS TOUTS MASSIVE GAS TAX REBATE
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“This moment demands an all-of-the-above approach and all hands on deck to bring down costs for South Carolinians,” Andrews continued. “Whether it’s suspending the gas and diesel taxes, cutting taxes, or putting money directly back into families’ pockets, I’m ready to work with anyone who is serious about getting it done.”
Republican congressman Russell Fry – who campaigned against Nordone for the GOP Senate nomination – called for federal fuel taxes to be suspended earlier this week. Meanwhile, a host of proposals are in play to address the Palmetto State’s 28.75-cent levy. Attorney general Alan Wilson, the GOP nominee for governor this fall, has proposed letting future governors suspend this tax for up to 120 days without legislative approval – while Jordan Pace, leader of the fiscally conservative S.C. Freedom Caucus, has touted a $500 million rebate to South Carolina taxpayers to help them shore up their family budgets amid the skyrocketing costs.
What has Nordone done on the issue? Nothing…
“She’s offering no plan of her own, even refusing to sign onto a federal gas tax suspension bill introduced by a fellow Republican senator,” Andrews said, referring to S. 4485, sponsored by GOP senator Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Keep it tuned to FITSNews as we keep tabs on what is quickly becoming one of the hottest issues ahead of the November 2026 election.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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