2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
| |||||||
| |||||||
| |||||||
| Elections in South Carolina |
|---|
The 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of South Carolina. The primary elections will take place on June 9, and in races where no candidate receives over 50% in a primary, runoff elections will take place on June 23.[1] Incumbent governor Henry McMaster is term-limited and cannot seek a third full consecutive term. He took office on January 24, 2017, upon the resignation of fellow Republican Nikki Haley to become ambassador to the United Nations under the first Trump administration. He was re-elected to full terms in 2018 and 2022.
Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in South Carolina since Jim Hodges was elected in 1998.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Pamela Evette, lieutenant governor of South Carolina (2019–present)[2]
- Josh Kimbrell, state senator from the 11th district (2020–present)[3]
- Nancy Mace, U.S. representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district (2021–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014[4]
- Rom Reddy, businessman[5]
- Ralph Norman, U.S. representative from South Carolina's 5th congressional district (2017–present)[6]
- Alan Wilson, attorney general of South Carolina (2011–present)[7]
- Running mate: Mike Reichenbach, state senator from the 31st district (2022–present)[8]
Potential
- Mark Sanford, former governor (2003–2011) and U.S. representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district (1995–2001, 2013–2019)[9]
Withdrawn
- Thomas Ravenel, former state treasurer of South Carolina (2007), candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004 and independent candidate in 2014[10]
Endorsements
Pamela Evette
- Executive branch officials
- Mick Zais, former U.S. deputy secretary of education (2018–2021)[11]
- Statewide officials
- Henry McMaster, governor of South Carolina (2017–present)[12]
- State legislators
- Davey Hiott, majority leader of the South Carolina House of Representatives (2022–present) from the 4th district (2005–present)[13]
- Bruce Bannister, state representative from the 24th district (2006–present)[14]
- Case Brittain, state representative from the 107th district (2020–present)[15]
- Val Guest, state representative from the 106th district (2022–present)[15]
- Kevin Hardee, state representative from the 105th district (2012–present)[15]
- Tim McGinnis, state representative from the 56th district (2018–present)[15]
- Carla Schuessler, state representative from the 61st district (2022–present)[15]
- Gil Gatch, state representative from the 94th district (2020–present)[16]
- Melissa Lackey Oremus, state representative from the 84th district (2019–present)[17]
- Cal Forrest, state representative from the 39th district (2016–present)[17]
- Bill Hixon, state representative from the 83rd district (2010–present)[17]
- Jeff Zell, state senator from the 36th district (2025–present)[17]
- Party officials
- Karen Floyd, former chair of the South Carolina Republican Party (2009–2011)[18]
- Individuals
- James Livingston, retired U.S. Marine Corps major general[19]
Josh Kimbrell
- State legislators
- David Martin, state representative from the 26th district (2024–present)[17]
- Matt Leber, state senator from the 41st district (2024–present)[17]
Ralph Norman
- Executive branch officials
- Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations (2017–2018) and governor of South Carolina (2011–2017)[20]
- Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff (2020–2021)[20]
- U.S. senators
- Jim DeMint, former U.S. senator from South Carolina (2005–2013)[20]
- State legislators
- Wes Climer, state senator from the 15th district (2016–present)[21]
- Nathan Ballentine, state representative from the 71st district (2005–present)[17]
- Organizations
Alan Wilson
- Executive branch officials
- Hugh Hewitt, former deputy director of the Office of Personnel Management (1988–1989)[17]
- Statewide Officials
- Todd Rokita, Indiana Attorney General[22]
- Chris Kobach, Kansas Attorney General[23]
- Liz Murrill, Louisiana Attorney General[24]
- Mike Hilgers, Nebraska Attorney General, Vice Chair of the Republican Attorneys General Association [25]
- Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania Attorney General[26]
- Derek Brown, Utah Attorney General[27]
- J.B. McCuskey, West Virginia Attorney General[28]
- State legislators
- JD Chaplin, state senator from the 29th district (2024–present)[17]
- Local officials
- 23 county sheriffs[29]
- Individuals
- Bob Jones III, former president of Bob Jones University (1971–2005)[30]
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Pamela Evette |
Nancy Mace |
Ralph Norman |
Alan Wilson |
Other/ Undecided[a] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RealClearPolitics[31] | October 2, 2025 – March 13, 2026 | March 18, 2026 | 18.8% | 19.5% | 9.3% | 17.3% | 35.1%[b] | Mace +0.7% |
| Race to the WH[32] | through March 13, 2026 | March 18, 2025 | 17.6% | 20.6% | 10.7% | 19.8% | 31.3%[c] | Mace +0.8% |
| Decision Desk HQ[33] | through March 13, 2025 | March 18, 2025 | 17.2% | 21.7% | 9.6% | 18.3% | 33.2% | Mace +3.4% |
| Average | 17.9% | 20.6% | 9.9% | 18.5% | 33.1% | Mace +2.1% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Pamela Evette |
Josh Kimbrell |
Nancy Mace |
Ralph Norman |
Alan Wilson |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| co/efficient (R)[34] | March 12–13, 2026 | 810 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 21% | 1% | 22% | 8% | 19% | – | 29% |
| Stratus Intelligence (R)[35][A] | March 9–11, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 15% | – | 24% | 14% | 18% | – | 29% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[36] | March 10–11, 2026 | 806 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 16%[e] | 3% | 22% | 11% | 22% | – | 26% |
| 13% | 2% | 19% | 9% | 18% | – | 39% | ||||
| National Public Affairs (R)[37][B] | February 2–5, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 16% | 2% | 17% | 12% | 23% | – | 30% |
| Targoz Market Research/ South Carolina Policy Council[38] |
January 24 – February 1, 2026 | 540 (LV) | – | 12% | 4% | 18% | 11% | 12% | – | 43% |
| Trafalgar Group (R)[39] | January 15–16, 2026 | 1,076 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 22% | 2% | 17% | 10% | 20% | – | 29% |
| Stratus Intelligence (R)[40][A] | January 7–9, 2026 | 700 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 14% | – | 23% | 11% | 19% | – | 32% |
| Wick[41][C] | December 16–19, 2025 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 17% | 2% | 13% | 13% | 23% | – | 33% |
| Wick[42] | November 24–26, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 16% | 2% | 11% | 12% | 22% | – | 38% |
| Winthrop University[43] | October 2–19, 2025 | 1,331 (RV) | ± 3.9% | 16% | 3% | 17% | 8% | 8% | 1%[f] | 47% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[44][D] | October 1–4, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.2% | 17% | 5% | 16% | 11% | 16% | – | 35% |
| 22%[e] | 6% | 20% | 13% | 23% | – | 16% | ||||
| Trafalgar Group (R)[45] | September 30 – October 2, 2025 | 1,094 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 20% | 1% | 16% | 9% | 12% | – | 41% |
| co/efficient (R)[46] | September 18–19, 2025 | 1,094 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 18% | 2% | 19% | 10% | 16% | – | 35% |
| Meeting Street Insights (R)[47][E] | August 11–12, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 6% | 3% | 25% | 10% | 17% | – | 38% |
| 7%[e] | 4% | 30% | 12% | 21% | – | 26% | ||||
| Targoz Market Research/ South Carolina Policy Council[48] |
July 21–25, 2025 | 1,200 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 8% | 3% | 16% | 6% | 15% | – | 52% |
| yes. every kid. (D)[49] | July 18–21, 2025 | 406 (LV) | ± 4.86% | 9% | 3% | 19% | 8% | 20% | 2% | 37% |
| First Tuesday Strategies (R)[50] | March 19–21, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 7% | 2% | 16% | 6% | 21% | 1%[g] | 47% |
| Trafalgar Group (R)[51] | March 8–10, 2025 | 1,127 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 31% | – | 29% | 11% | 27% | – | 2% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Justin Bennett[52]
- Jermaine Johnson, state representative from the 80th district[h] (2020–present)[53]
- William Mullins McLeod Jr., trial attorney and candidate for governor in 2010[54]
Declined
- Russell Ott, state senator from the 26th district (2024–present)[55]
Endorsements
Jermaine Johnson
- State legislators
- Carl Anderson, state representative from the 103rd district (2005–present)[56]
- Heather Bauer, state representative from the 75th district (2022–present)[56]
- Bill Clyburn, state representative from the 82nd district (1995–present)[56]
- Leon Howard, state representative from the 76th district (1995–present)[56]
- John Richard C. King, state representative from the 49th district (2009–present)[56]
- Kambrell Garvin, state representative from the 77th district (2018–present)[56]
- Jerry Govan Jr., state representative from the 93rd district (2024–present, 1992–2022)[56]
- Hamilton R. Grant, state representative from the 79th district (2025–present)[56]
- Wendell K. Jones, state representative from the 25th district (2022–present)[56]
- Annie McDaniel, state representative from the 41st district (2018–present)[56]
- Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, state representative from the 31st district (2017–present)[56]
- Robert Reese, state representative from the 70th district (2024–present)[56]
- Michael F. Rivers Sr., state representative from the 121st district (2016–present)[56]
- Seth Rose, state representative from the 72nd district (2018–present)[56]
- Courtney Waters, state representative from the 113th district (2025–present)[56]
- J. David Weeks, state representative from the 51st district (2000–present)[56]
- Robert Q. Williams, state representative from the 62nd district (2007–present)[56]
- Labor unions
Mullins McLeod
- State legislators
- Wendell Gilliard, state representative from the 111th district (2009–present)[58]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Jermaine Johnson |
Mullins McLeod |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Targoz Market Research/ South Carolina Policy Council[38] |
January 24 – February 1, 2026 | 348 (LV) | – | 25% | 8% | 67% |
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[59] | Solid R | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[60] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[61] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[62] | Likely R | January 28, 2026 |
See also
Notes
- ^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- ^ Kimbrell at 2.3%
- ^ Kimbrell at 2.3%, Bennett at 1.2%
- ^ a b Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ a b c With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- ^ "Prefer not to say" with 1%
- ^ Sean Bennett with 1%
- ^ Multiple districts; 52nd district since 2024
Partisan clients
References
- ^ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Bustos, Joseph (July 14, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette joins race for South Carolina governor. 5 things to know". The State. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ Moore, Stephanie (June 23, 2025). "Sen. Josh Kimbrell announces run for SC governor". WYFF. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Goba, Kadia (August 4, 2025). "Rep. Nancy Mace, Trump critic-turned-ally, to run for South Carolina governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Ashford, Adrian (March 16, 2026). "Isle of Palms millionaire Rom Reddy joins GOP primary for governor". South Carolina Daily Gazette. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg (July 25, 2025). "Rep. Ralph Norman, among House's most conservative, set to enter South Carolina governor's race". Associated Press. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg (June 23, 2025). "Alan Wilson, South Carolina's four-term Republican attorney general, enters 2026 governor's race". Associated Press. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Renaud, Tim (January 9, 2026). "Wilson taps SC Sen. Mike Reichenbach as running mate in bid for governor". WCBD. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Isenstadt, Alex; Nichols, Hans (February 13, 2026). "South Carolina's Mark Sanford eyes a comeback". Axios. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Chornobroff, Shaun (February 11, 2025). "Former SC treasurer and reality TV star ends bid for governor, days after announcement". South Carolina Daily Gazette. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ Scott, Tyler (March 17, 2026). "Former US Deputy Secretary of Education endorses SC Lt Gov Evette for governor". Fox Carolina. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ "McMaster backs Evette to replace him as South Carolina governor. Is Trump's endorsement next?". King5. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Mace wants Trump to force mass layoffs to motivate Democrats on spending plan". The Greenville News. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Carpentier, Bella (September 24, 2025). "SC Rep. Bruce Bannister endorses Pamela Evette for South Carolina governor". The Greenville News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Brown, Andrew (October 29, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette lands major endorsements in Horry County". MyHorryNews.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ^ Deanne, Emily (November 19, 2025). "Rep. Gatch backs Evette, stressing shared goals on transparency and business policies". WCIV. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bustos, Joseph (October 21, 2025). "With 3rd quarter fundraising reports in, who has edge in SC GOP governor's race". The State. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
- ^ Bustos, Joseph (April 14, 2025). "Top GOP figures dominate buzz for SC governor's race. Can others gain traction?". The State. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Byrd, Caitlin (July 22, 2025). "SC Medal of Honor recipient James Livingston backs Pam Evette for governor in 2026 GOP primary". The State. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c Atkinson, Macon (July 27, 2025). "Nikki Haley and Jim DeMint endorse Ralph Norman for SC governor as he launches campaign in Rock Hill". The Post and Courier. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ O'Neill, Nora (August 1, 2025). "SC senator announces run for Ralph Norman's 5th District seat in Congress". Rock Hill Herald. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/03/17/seven-attorneys-general-endorse-sc-ag-alan-wilson-governor/
- ^ https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/03/17/seven-attorneys-general-endorse-sc-ag-alan-wilson-governor/
- ^ https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/03/17/seven-attorneys-general-endorse-sc-ag-alan-wilson-governor/
- ^ https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/03/17/seven-attorneys-general-endorse-sc-ag-alan-wilson-governor/
- ^ https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/03/17/seven-attorneys-general-endorse-sc-ag-alan-wilson-governor/
- ^ https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/03/17/seven-attorneys-general-endorse-sc-ag-alan-wilson-governor/
- ^ https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/03/17/seven-attorneys-general-endorse-sc-ag-alan-wilson-governor/
- ^ Dorsch, Eric (July 22, 2025). "Alan Wilson endorsed for Governor by 22 Republican sheriffs". WSAV-TV. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "Former Upstate university president endorses Alan Wilson for governor". FOX Carolina News. February 19, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ "2026 South Carolina Governor – Republican Primary | RealClearPolling". RCP. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ "Latest Polling for Governor Races – 2025-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ "SC Gov 2026". DDHQ. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ "South Carolina 2026 Republican Primary". co/efficient. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Considine, Clare (March 16, 2026). "Republican Primary Survey for South Carolina Governor" (PDF). Stratus Intelligence. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ "South Carolina GOP Governor Primary Still Wide Open". Quantus Insights. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ^ Folks, Will (February 9, 2026). "New Poll Shows Alan Wilson Leading 'Fragmented' S.C. Governor's Race". FITSNews. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ^ a b Aaron, Sam (February 4, 2026). "The South Carolina Policy Council's 2026 Winter Poll". South Carolina Policy Council. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "South Carolina Governor GOP Primary Poll January 2026" (PDF). Trafalgar Group. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Reynolds, Nick (January 13, 2026). "Nancy Mace touts polling memo showing her leading the governor's race by four points over Alan Wilson. MOE 3.7 percent. The pollster is Clare Considine — who was quoted in national media as a Mace advisor as recently as November. Not on the website, but told she is 'former.'". Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via X.
- ^ Bustos, Joseph (January 26, 2026). "3 recent SC governor GOP race polls. 3 different leaders. Why the difference?". The State. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
- ^ Burrell, David (December 1, 2025). "New SC GOP Primary Poll". Wick. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ "October 2025 Winthrop Poll". Winthrop University. October 28, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Corley, Jason (October 7, 2025). "South Carolina Republican Primary Survey". Quantus Insights. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "South Carolina Governor GOP Primary Poll" (PDF). The Trafalgar Group. October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "South Carolina 2026 Republican Primary" (PDF). co/efficient. September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "Key Survey Data Among South Carolina Republican Primary Voters". Meeting Street Insights. August 13, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ Mueller, Julia (July 29, 2025). "Mace leading South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary polling". The Hill. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "South Carolina Republican Primary Survey" (PDF). yes. every kid. Foundation. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ "SCGOP Primary – March 2025" (PDF). FITSNews. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ^ Reagan, Nick (March 12, 2025). "Early poll gives SC lieutenant governor edge in 2026 race". WCSC-TV. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ Johnson, Connor (March 4, 2026). "A midterm elections preview: What is the impact on Clemson students?". The Tiger. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
In the Democratic primary, three candidates are running for the nomination: Justin Bennett, State House Rep. Jermaine Johnson and Mullins McLeod.
- ^ Bustos, Joseph (October 28, 2025). "'I'm not a sacrificial lamb.' Jermaine Johnson launches his bid for SC governor". The State. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Reynolds, Nick (August 11, 2025). "With little publicity, Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod enters Democratic race for governor". The Post and Courier. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Bustos, Joseph (November 14, 2024). "Who might run for South Carolina governor and US senator in 2026? Here are names to watch". The State. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Democrat candidate for governor announces slate of endorsements from state legislators". ABC4News. November 18, 2025.
- ^ "Crossroads 2026: Big Labor Backs Jermaine Johnson for S.C. Governor – FITSNews". Fits. December 10, 2025. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ ""I'm in Line": SC Rep. Wendell Gilliard Stands With Mullins McLeod". The Minority Eye. March 15, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast – 2026–2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites