Arkansas gov., former White House press secretary to headline 'Salute to Liberty' event
U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-3rd District) invited Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to headline the inaugural "Salute to Liberty" event on Aug. 18. The gathering will celebrate patriotism, freedom, service, and other American values, according to a press release.
Biggs stated that Sanders has enacted transformational, conservative reform as governor of Arkansas and led historic victories in her work at the White House.
"I am deeply honored that my friend of many years and a true patriot for our nation, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, will headline our inaugural Salute to Liberty," Biggs stated.
Biggs will host "Salute to Liberty" at the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. General admissions tickets start at around $30.
Setting the stage for the 2028 race
Biggs is a relatively new member of Congress. She won the third congressional district's seat in 2024 and took office in 2025.
Her predecessor, Jeff Duncan, took the seat in 2012 and held it until 2024, when he decided not to seek reelection. Duncan first started the tradition of bringing thousands of South Carolina Republicans to the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center during the summer for his annual Faith & Freedom BBQ.
More: Jeff Duncan's BBQ: SC evangelical voters split between DeSantis, Scott in Trump Country.
In the past, Duncan's event featured remarks from top national Republicans with presidential aspirations, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida). Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was set to be the event's keynote speaker in 2023, the last year of the event, before cancelling to return to his home state during Hurricane Idalia.
Sanders, the headliner for Biggs' event, is another possible Republican name in the 2028 presidential race.
Nonpartisan polling site 270toWin compiled an aggregate of 10 polls of possible 2028 Republican presidential candidates. Sanders ranked the seventh most popular candidate of 23 names, placing between Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Sanders is known for championing conservative policies and backing President Donald Trump.
As governor, she signed a bill that opened the doors for medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors who perform gender affirming care and a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in local government.
South Carolina — the launching pad for presidential campaigns
The Palmetto State is the first Southern state to hold primary contests in an election cycle, making it an important win for presidential candidates' campaign momentum.
Trump gained a significant lead over competitor former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the state's 2024 Republican primary, earning about 60% of the vote next to Haley's 40%. Haley dropped out of the race less than two weeks later.
He also campaigned numerous times in the state leading up to the 2016 Republican primary. He ended up winning the state with about 32% of the vote compared to Rubio's and Ted Cruz's roughly 22% each, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
More: 'I will not stop using my voice.' Haley suspends presidential bid, doesn't endorse Trump
Several Democratic politicians have visited the Palmetto State this summer, including Govs. Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, and Tim Walz.
Sanders has not formally said whether she is considering a run for president, even though her name has come up in 2028 possible candidate polls.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Sheri Biggs' 'Salute to Liberty' event to feature Arkansas governor
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San Francisco Chronicle
17 minutes ago
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The Hill
17 minutes ago
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Texas Democrat Nicole Collier slams GOP in interview from state House floor
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