South Carolina Governor Race 2026: Alan Wilson vs. Jermaine Johnson – What You Need To Know
AND Editorial Team
South Carolina’s 2026 governor’s race is officially set. After months of campaigning, a crowded Republican primary, and a closely watched runoff election, voters now know who will compete to become the state’s next governor.
The general election will take place on November 3, 2026. Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson will face Democratic State Representative Jermaine Johnson .
This is South Carolina’s first open gubernatorial race since 2010. Governor Henry McMaster cannot seek another term due to term limits. Both parties are fighting for control of the governor’s mansion .
Two main candidates will appear on the November ballot. Several third-party candidates have also qualified.
Alan Wilson is South Carolina’s longest-serving attorney general. He has held the office since 2011 .
Wilson secured the Republican nomination after defeating Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in the June 23 runoff election. The final margin was decisive. Wilson won about 66 percent of the vote. Evette received about 34 percent .
His victory completed a dramatic turnaround. He finished behind Evette in the initial June 9 primary. Evette received 28.9 percent. Wilson received 26.1 percent .
During the campaign, Wilson emphasized several key issues:
Wilson received support from many former Republican rivals after the first primary round. U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman endorsed him. State Senator Josh Kimbrell also backed his campaign .
Wilson also highlighted his record as attorney general. He pointed to his work expanding the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He created the state’s Human Trafficking Task Force. He also served as a colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for the South Carolina Army National Guard .
Jermaine Johnson won the Democratic nomination outright on June 9. He avoided a runoff by earning a majority of votes against his Democratic opponents .
Johnson is a South Carolina state representative. He has positioned himself as a candidate focused on change. South Carolina has been controlled by Republicans for decades .
His campaign messaging has centered on:
Johnson has promoted a “South Carolina First” message. He hopes to attract independent and moderate voters .
Several third-party candidates have also qualified for the ballot:
Historically, third-party candidates have struggled to gain significant statewide support in South Carolina .
Most news coverage has focused on the Republican primary drama. But there is a deeper story here that deserves attention.
South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998.
That is nearly three decades of Republican control. The last Democrat to win was Jim Hodges. He defeated incumbent Republican Governor David Beasley by about 8 percentage points .
Since then, Republicans have dominated statewide elections. The last Democrat to win any statewide office was Jim Rex in 2006. He became state superintendent of education by fewer than 500 votes .
This historical reality makes Alan Wilson the clear favorite. But it also creates an opportunity for Johnson.
Voters may be ready for change.
South Carolina is growing rapidly. The state faces challenges with housing affordability, transportation infrastructure, and education funding. The next governor will play a major role in shaping how the state handles these issues .
Johnson’s campaign hopes that concerns over affordability, education, and healthcare can make the race more competitive than many expect .
The Republican primary was widely viewed as the most important contest. South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998 .
The original Republican field included Alan Wilson, Pamela Evette, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, Rom Reddy, and Josh Kimbrell .
No candidate received the required majority of votes on June 9. This forced a runoff between the top two finishers:
The runoff quickly became one of the most talked-about state races in the country .
A major storyline involved President Donald Trump’s endorsements. Trump initially endorsed Evette in May. He called her a “good friend, fighter, and WINNER” .
But the race shifted after the primary. Wilson picked up momentum in the polls. He also received endorsements from several eliminated candidates .
Then Trump made a surprising move. He endorsed both candidates just days before the runoff .
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I can’t hurt one of them by only endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!” .
The move sparked immediate debate. Some argued Trump was simply acknowledging two strong candidates. Critics accused him of hedging his bets .
Trump had already suffered losses in two other governor’s races this year. His endorsed candidates lost in Iowa and Georgia. By endorsing both candidates, Trump guaranteed he could claim a “win” in South Carolina .
Several factors drove Wilson’s victory:
1. Broader Republican coalition
Wilson attracted support from former rivals, lawmakers, and conservative activists across the state. Those endorsements helped unify voters who had backed other candidates in the first round .
2. Focus on state issues
While Evette highlighted her relationship with Trump, Wilson focused on state-level concerns. He discussed eliminating the state income tax and lowering property taxes . He also talked about infrastructure and government waste.
3. Strong ground organization
Political observers pointed to Wilson’s turnout operation. Volunteers made calls and mobilized supporters throughout the runoff campaign .
4. Attorney General experience
Wilson has served as South Carolina’s attorney general since 2011. He entered the race with strong statewide name recognition .
Wilson says he measures success by affordability for South Carolina families. He has called for a comprehensive restructuring of state government. He supports expanded auditing efforts and sunset provisions for outdated laws .
On economic policy, Wilson says eliminating the state income tax should be a long-term goal. He argues that other states have already moved in that direction .
On education, Wilson emphasizes early childhood programs. “I would rather invest in three- and four-year-olds than prisons for 30- and 40-year-olds,” he said .
On infrastructure, Wilson supports exploring toll express lanes and privatizing rest areas. He said these steps would reduce the taxpayer burden .
Johnson has positioned himself as a candidate for change. He argues that costs are too high, healthcare is too inaccessible, and schools are failing .
The Democratic Governors Association has criticized Wilson. They say he opposes Medicaid expansion and has defended the state’s extreme abortion ban .
Johnson’s campaign hopes these issues can make the race competitive. He is promoting economic opportunity, education, and healthcare access .
Wilson now advances to the November 3 general election against Democrat Jermaine Johnson .
Republicans hold a major advantage in South Carolina. The state voted for Trump by about 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. Republicans have won every governor’s race since 2002 .
Because of these political realities, most analysts view Wilson as the clear favorite heading into the fall campaign .
However, Democrats hope that issues such as affordability, infrastructure, education, and healthcare can help make the race more competitive than recent statewide contests .
Although gubernatorial elections do not directly affect financial markets, Wilson’s campaign platform could have implications for businesses and taxpayers in South Carolina.
Key proposals include:
These issues are likely to become central themes as Wilson and Johnson begin their general election campaigns .
South Carolina’s governor’s race is now officially set. Republican Alan Wilson and Democrat Jermaine Johnson will headline the November ballot.
Wilson’s victory was far more decisive than many expected after the first round of voting. His ability to unite Republican factions and focus on state-level economic concerns produced a runoff landslide .
The result also highlights a growing political lesson from 2026. While Trump’s endorsement remains influential, organization, coalition-building, and issue-focused campaigning still matter in competitive Republican primaries .
With the Republican nomination secured, Wilson now turns his attention to November. He enters the general election as the favorite to become South Carolina’s next governor .
Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026 .
