2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election
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| Elections in South Carolina |
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The 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of South Carolina. 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 U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under the first Trump administration and won full terms in 2018 and 2022.
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Formed exploratory committee
[edit]- Josh Kimbrell, state senator from the 11th district (2020–present)[1]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Sean Bennett, state senator from the 38th district (2012–present)[2][3]
- Pamela Evette, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina (2019–present)[4]
- Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district (2021–present)[5]
- Ralph Norman, U.S. representative from South Carolina's 5th congressional district (2017–present)[6]
- Alan Wilson, South Carolina Attorney General (2011–present)[7]
Potential
[edit]- Adam Morgan, former state representative from the 20th district (2018–2024) and candidate for South Carolina's 4th congressional district in 2024[2]
- Mark Sanford, former governor (2003–2011) and former U.S. Representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district (1995–2001; 2013–2019)[8]
- John Warren, mortgage company executive and candidate for governor in 2018[2]
Withdrawn
[edit]- Thomas Ravenel, former South Carolina State Treasurer (2007), candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004 and independent candidate in 2014[9]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Pamela Evette (R) |
Nancy Mace (R) |
Ralph Norman (R) |
Alan Wilson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Tuesday Strategies (R)[10] | March 19–21, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 7% | 16% | 6% | 21% | 3%[b] | 47% |
| Trafalgar Group (R)[11] | March 8–10, 2025 | 1,127 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 31% | 29% | 11% | 27% | – | 2% |
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Jermaine Johnson, state representative from the 70th district (2020–present)[2]
- Mullins McLeod, trial attorney and candidate for governor in 2010[2]
Potential
[edit]- Ivory Thigpen, state representative from the 79th district (2016–present)[2]
Declined
[edit]- Russell Ott, state senator from the 26th district (2024–present)[2]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[12] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[13] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Reynolds, Nick (March 25, 2025). "Upstate SC Sen. Josh Kimbrell says he is weighing bid for governor". The Post and Courier. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g 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.
- ^ Folks, Will (January 29, 2025). "S.C. Senator Sean Bennett: 2026 Gubernatorial Profile". FITSNews. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ Weber, Andy (February 10, 2025). "SC politicians eye governors seat; who might be running". WJZY. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
'We're gonna look in the short time ahead, and you know, I'm going to let everybody know when the right time it is to talk about something like that,' said Lt. Governor Evette.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg (January 22, 2025). "Rep. Nancy Mace says she is considering a run for South Carolina governor". Associated Press. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Chornobroff, Shaun (March 26, 2025). "SC congressman likely to join governor's race, sees this as only opportunity". South Carolina Daily Gazette. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ Ortiz, Renee (January 15, 2025). "AG Alan Wilson praises GOP win, says he is considering run for governor". Index-Journal. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- ^ Wilson, Reid (February 4, 2025). "Sanford considers comeback bid in South Carolina". Pluribus News. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.