Episode 37: Forward Together (Candidates) / Rock Hill Protest (again!)
TIMECODE INDEX to the YouTube Video BELOW ⌚
It was another YCDP Weekend, with the Forward Together party on Friday (June 27) and another every-other-Saturday protest along Dave Lyle in Rock Hill on Saturday.
We lead off with Rock Hill, and some longer interviews with some of the activists, Savanna, Will and Anna.
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Then we go backwards in time (a few hours) to the YCDP Forward Together event, where we hear from the three candidates who were present. US Senate Candidate Dr. Annie Andrews leads off, then two candidates (of four announced so far) competing for the Democratic nomination for US House from SC 5 (Ralph Norman's seat). First is Andrew Clough, who announced very recently, and then Alex Harper, who's been in the race for a while.
The evening wraps up with YCDP Chair Nikita Jackson, who ushered everyone inside before thunderstorms rolled in.
DETAILED INDEX:
ROCK HILL PROTEST
00:00 INTRO, YCDP TV Host Gary Pearce gets the episode started at the Rock Hill Protest
00:55 People and Signs along Dave Lyle Blvd montage
01:58 Extended interview with protester/activists Savanna and Will. We get a little deeper into what motivates some of the people who are out on Dave Lyle every other week.
14:44 Anna Johnson reveals herself as our Costumed Crusader. First it was the Easter Bunny 🐰. Then an American Eagle 🦅. On the big No Kings day two weeks ago, she appeared as George Washington 🦸♂️ (yeah… no… there’s no George Washington emoji. C’mon, Google…). And this week she braved potential heat stroke in an inflatable (but not air conditioned) chicken costume 🐔. Behind (or inside) all that performance is an articulate, informed activist, also willing to do a bit of the Chicken Dance on camera.
19:15 We always talk with Brian Ballard, spokesman for York County Rising, the main sponsor of the bi-weekly (every other week version) protest on Dave Lyle Blvd in Rock Hill. Brian told us that– as of now – there are NO planned protest events in Rock Hill for July 4. There probably will be some, somewhere nearby, so do some digging.
FORWARD TOGETHER
20:51 The FORWARD TOGETHER event begins. Host Hope Matthews thanks the major sponsors/doners for the event.
Three candidates for Democratic Nominations for office in the 2026 Primary spoke at the event. Note that the YCDP does NOT endorse candidates for the Primary, and appearance at a YCDP event does not imply endorcement, but we provide the opportunity for all to reach our party members. Also note that the official filing period to be on the ballot doesn't even open until April 2026, so we may well see more candidates announce their intention to run.
Find out more about candidates on our website Meet the Candidates page
22:11 First was Dr. Annie Andrews. She is running for US Senate, challenging Lindsay Graham (assuming he runs again). Three other candidates (so far) have announced their run for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat, but were not at the event. They are: Catherine Fleming Bruce, Kyle Freeman, and Lee Johnson. See our Meet the Candidates page for links to those candidates.
Next are the two current candidates for the Democratic nomination for US House from SC District 5, which includes all of York County. This is Ralph Norman's seat, though Norman has not declared his candidacy yet and is considered to be a possible contender for Governor. Stay tuned.
28:29 Andrew Clough recently announced his bid for the nomination for US House from SC5. He introduces himself to the audience. This is his first appearance before a Democratic group (that we know about).
30:41 Alex Harper is also running for the US House seat for SC5. He announced his candidacy at the YCDP Convention.
35:08 YCDP Chair Nikita Jackson wraps things up just before thunderstorms chase the party indoors.
38:32 YCDP TV 📺Producer Gary Pearce wraps up the episode.