Columbia, South Carolina – Voters in South Carolina will have a chance Tuesday evening to hear directly from several candidates seeking federal office, as the Columbia Chapter of the National Action Network prepares to host a public debate in West Columbia.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at The SCEA Building, located at 2999 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia. Organizers say the forum is designed to give residents a clearer look at where candidates stand on issues shaping both South Carolina and the country.
Read also: City campaign encourages residents to explore Columbia by bike throughout May
The Columbia Chapter of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, is hosting the debate. The event will feature candidates running for the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives District 2.
Confirmed participants include Brandon Brown, Kyle Freeman, Zyon Khalifa, David Robinson II and Roger Pruitt.
The debate comes at a time when voters are weighing a wide range of concerns, from household costs to public safety. Organizers have outlined several major topics for discussion, including the cost of living, healthcare, foreign policy, economic justice, criminal justice and immigration enforcement, voting rights, education and public safety.
The format is expected to keep the evening structured and focused. Candidates will begin with two-minute opening statements before moving into one-minute responses to questions from the moderator. They will also have 30 seconds for rebuttals and two minutes for closing remarks.
For voters, the debate offers more than campaign talking points. It is a chance to compare candidates side by side, hear how they explain their priorities, and see how they respond when pressed on issues that affect families, workers, students and communities across the state.
The setting also gives the public an opportunity to engage with the election process before ballots are cast. With national debates often dominating attention, local forums like this one can bring the conversation closer to the people who will live with the results.
Read also: City vehicles and heavy equipment will take over Main Street for Columbia family event on May 16
By hosting the candidate debate, the Columbia Chapter of the National Action Network is placing civic participation at the center of the evening, giving South Carolina voters another way to listen, measure and decide.
