2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election

Last updated

2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election
Flag of South Carolina.svg
  2022 November 3, 20262030 
 
Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor

Henry McMaster
Republican



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.

Contents

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

  • Jermaine Johnson, state representative from the 70th district (2020–present) [1]
  • Mullins McLeod, trial attorney and candidate for governor in 2010 [1]

Potential

  • Ivory Thigpen, state representative from the 79th district (2016–present) [1]

Declined

  • Russell Ott, state senator from the 26th district (2024–present) [1]

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
270toWin [5] Safe RJanuary 5, 2025
The Cook Political Report [6] Solid RJanuary 23, 2025

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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.
  2. 1 2 Kinnard, Meg (January 22, 2025). "Rep. Nancy Mace says she is considering a run for South Carolina governor". Associated Press . Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  3. Solender, Andrew (November 27, 2024). "Scoop: A huge wave of House members is eyeing runs for other offices in 2026". Axios . Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  4. Ortiz, Renee (January 15, 2025). "AG Alan Wilson praises GOP win, says he is considering run for governor". Index-Journal. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  5. "2025-26 Gubernatorial Elections Map". 270toWin . Retrieved January 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.