How Grassroots Organizing Won South Carolina's Primary w/ Brandon Upson

** Early Release **What happens when political power shifts from kingmakers to everyday people? Barrett Gruber sits down with Brandon Upson for an in-depth look at South Carolina's recent primary results and the grassroots movement reshaping the state's political landscape.Brandon breaks down the surprises of primary night, the candidate profiles and strategies that defined the race, and the data behind voter registration and turnout. But the heart of the conversation is bigger than any single election — it's about power. As Brandon puts it, "the power shifted from the kingmakers to the people," and this episode unpacks exactly how that shift happened and what it means going forward.A major thread throughout is the rise of Jermaine Johnson, whose campaign Brandon frames as a genuine people-powered movement rather than a traditional top-down operation. Brandon's reflection — "Jermaine Johnson is me" — speaks to the personal investment so many South Carolinians have in seeing authentic representation succeed.The conversation goes deep on the mechanics of grassroots organizing: the challenges of rural outreach, the importance of local campaigning over flashy statewide messaging, and how civic engagement at the community level translates into real electoral outcomes. Brandon and Barrett also tackle harder questions around accountability in leadership, financial oversight, and what incompetence in public office actually costs constituents.The episode closes with a broader reflection on diversity, political unity, and what sustained grassroots energy could mean for South Carolina's future — not just in this election cycle, but for years to come.Topics Covered:South Carolina primary results and key surprisesGrassroots organizing and voter mobilization strategiesThe rise of Jermaine Johnson and people-powered campaignsVoter registration and turnout statisticsChallenges in rural political outreachAccountability and financial oversight in leadershipDiversity, political unity, and community engagementThe future of grassroots movements in South Carolina politicsA #NewSouth | WebpageDr. Jermaine Johnson for GovernorBrandon Upson | InstagramBrandon Upson | Webpage and LinksBarrett Gruber | LinktreeThe All About Nothing: Podcast | LinktreeClick here for Episode Show Notes!As always, "The All About Nothing: Podcast" is owned and distributed by BIG Media LLC!Check out our network of fantastic podcasts!Click Here to see available advertising packages!Click Here for information on the "Fair Use Copyright Notice" for this podcast.Mentioned in this episode:Check Your Voter RegistrationVisit https://theallaboutnothing.com/voter to check your registration! It takes less than 2 minutes. Do it now!ZJZ DesignsCheck out the 4th of July Heart Designs for this Independence Day! Visit zjzdesigns.com!ZJZ DesignsBIG Media Copyright 2026BIG Media LLC