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
- Josh Kimbrell, state senator from the 11th district (2020–present)[1]
- Alan Wilson, South Carolina Attorney General (2011–present)[2]
Publicly expressed interest
- Sean Bennett, state senator from the 38th district (2012–present)[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) (decision expected on July 27, 2025)[6]
Potential
- Mark Sanford, former governor (2003–2011) and former U.S. Representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district (1995–2001; 2013–2019)[7]
Withdrawn
- Thomas Ravenel, former South Carolina State Treasurer (2007), candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004 and independent candidate in 2014[8]
Endorsements
Pamela Evette (undeclared)
- Individuals
- Karen Floyd, former chair of the South Carolina Republican Party (2009–2011)[9]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Pamela Evette |
Nancy Mace |
Ralph Norman |
Alan Wilson |
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
Candidates
Formed exploratory committee
- Jermaine Johnson, state representative from the 70th district (2020–present)[12]
Declined
- Russell Ott, state senator from the 26th district (2024–present)[13]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[14] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[15] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[16] | Safe R | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[17] | Likely R | June 30, 2025 |
See also
Notes
References
- ^ Moore, Stephanie (June 23, 2025). "Sen. Josh Kimbrell announces run for SC governor". WYFF. Retrieved June 23, 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Sullivan, Nick (June 30, 2025). "Ralph Norman plans announcement about SC governor run. Can he win in 2026?". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved June 30, 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.