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
Candidates
Declared
- Pamela Evette, lieutenant governor of South Carolina (2019–present)[1]
- Josh Kimbrell, state senator from the 11th district (2020–present)[2]
- Nancy Mace, U.S. representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district (2021–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014[3]
- Ralph Norman, U.S. representative from South Carolina's 5th congressional district (2017–present)[4]
- Alan Wilson, attorney general of South Carolina (2011–present)[5]
Withdrawn
- Thomas Ravenel, former South Carolina State Treasurer (2007), candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004 and independent candidate in 2014[6]
Endorsements
Pamela Evette
- Party officials
- Karen Floyd, former chair of the South Carolina Republican Party (2009–2011)[7]
- Individuals
- James Livingston, retired U.S. Marine Corps major general[8]
Ralph Norman
- Executive branch officials
- Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2017–2018) and former Governor of South Carolina (2011–2017)[9]
- Mark Meadows, former White House Chief of Staff (2020–2021)[9]
- U.S. senators
- Jim DeMint, former U.S. senator from South Carolina (2005–2013)[9]
- State legislators
- Wes Climer, state senator from the 15th district (2016–present)[10]
Alan Wilson
- County officials
- 22 county sheriffs[11]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Pamela Evette |
Josh Kimbrell |
Nancy Mace |
Ralph Norman |
Alan Wilson |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting Street[12][A] | August 11–12, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 6% | 3% | 25% | 10% | 17% | – | 38% |
| 7%[b] | 4% | 30% | 12% | 21% | – | 26% | ||||
| South Carolina Policy Council[13] | July 21–25, 2025 | 1,200 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 8% | 3% | 16% | 6% | 15% | – | 52% |
| First Tuesday Strategies (R)[14] | March 19–21, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 7% | 2% | 16% | 6% | 21% | 1%[c] | 47% |
| Trafalgar Group (R)[15] | March 8–10, 2025 | 1,127 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 31% | – | 29% | 11% | 27% | – | 2% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Formed exploratory committee
- Jermaine Johnson, state representative from the 80th district[d] (2020–present)[17]
Declined
- Russell Ott, state senator from the 26th district (2024–present)[18]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[19] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[20] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[21] | Safe R | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[22] | Likely R | June 30, 2025 |
See also
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- ^ Sean Bennett with 1%
- ^ Multiple districts; 52nd district since 2024
Partisan clients
- ^ This poll was sponsored by Mace's campaign
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Dorsch, Eric (July 22, 2025). "Alan Wilson endorsed for Governor by 22 Republican sheriffs". WSAV-TV. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "Key Survey Data Among South Carolina Republican Primary Voters". Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ "Mace leading South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary polling". The Hill. Retrieved July 29, 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.
- ^ 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 (May 31, 2025). "This Democratic state representative is now formally exploring a run for governor". The State. Retrieved May 31, 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.
- ^ "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