Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson Head to GOP Runoff for South Carolina Governor
The state also conducted primaries for Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller General, Superintendent of Education, and Commissioner of Agriculture
The Democratic and Republican primaries occurred today in South Carolina to select candidates for the November 2026 general election. This post covers the races for statewide executive offices in the Palmetto State. That includes the contests for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller General, Superintendent of Education, and Commissioner of Agriculture. Separate posts will be covering the primaries for federal races, all 124 seats in the State House of Representatives, and county contests.
In South Carolina, a candidate needs to achieve a 50%+1 majority in the primary to receive their party’s nomination. If that doesn’t happen, then the top two finishers will advance to a runoff scheduled for June 23, 2026.
The general election for these statewide executive offices will be held on November 3, 2026.
Governor:
State Representative Jermaine Johnson won the Democratic primary with 59.6% (221,751) against businessman Billy Webster with 29.7% (110,267) and attorney Mullins McLeod with 10.7% (39,710). 371,728 votes counted.
Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson will advance in the Republican primary with 29.1% (136,390) and 26.4% (123,559) against U.S. Representative Ralph Norman with 17.2% (80,722), businessman Rom Reddy with 14.3% (66,922), U.S. Representative Nancy Mace with 12.2% (57,332), and State Senator Josh Kimbrell with 0.8% (3,955). 468,880 votes counted.
Attorney General:
Attorney Richard Hricik won the Democratic primary.
State Senator Stephen Goldfinch and Eighth Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo will advance in the Republican primary with 40.0% (175,921) and 35.7% (156,876) against First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe with 24.3% (107,086). 439,883 votes counted.
Secretary of State:
Community advocate Jason Belton won the Democratic primary with 50.6% (179,659) against realtor Edwina Winter with 49.4% (175,628). 355,287 votes counted.
Incumbent Mark Hammond won the Republican primary.
Treasurer:
Banker Vincent Coe won the Democratic primary with 55.8% (195,339) against former state party chair Trav Robertson with 44.2% (154,989). 350,328 votes counted.
Incumbent Curtis Loftis won the Republican primary.
Comptroller General:
Accountant Tiffany Boozer won the Democratic primary with 74.5% (261,773) against accountant Bruce Cole with 25.5% (89,699). 351,472 votes counted.
Businessman Mike Burkhold won the Republican primary.
Superintendent of Education:
Educator Sylvia Wright won the Democratic primary with 61.0% (218,037) against 2022 nominee Lisa Ellis with 39.0% (139,305). 357,342 votes counted.
Incumbent Ellen Weaver won the Republican primary.
Commissioner of Agriculture:
Former congressional staffer DeShawn Blanding won the Democratic primary.
State FSA director Cody Simpson and business owner Danny Ford II will advance in the Republican primary with 38.1% (163,973) and 37.3% (160,137) against farmer Jeremy Cannon with 13.7% (58,975) and market development director Fred West with 10.9% (46,814). 429,899 votes counted.