South Carolina governor’s race set as Wilson, Johnson turn to general election

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – With the primary season concluded, South Carolina’s gubernatorial race is coming into focus, marking the first time in nearly a decade that Gov. Henry McMaster will not appear on the ballot.

Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson and Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson have secured their parties’ nominations and will face off in November as they begin shifting their campaigns toward the general election.

Wilson, a Lexington native and combat veteran, has served as the state’s attorney general since 2011. He is campaigning on a platform focused on tax reform, government transparency, and affordability, including a proposal to eliminate the state income tax.

“I think it signals to us that our message of talking about the people of South Carolina and our message of hope … resonated with the voters,” Wilson said, referencing his primary victory.

Johnson, who has represented Richland County in the South Carolina House since 2021 and lives in Hopkins, is centering his campaign on what he calls a need for change and new leadership. He is seeking to become the state’s first Democratic governor since the late 1990s.

“People are just angry … because their lives just aren’t getting any better,” Johnson said. “If we elect the same type of leadership, we will get the same type of result.”

Johnson pointed to Republican primary results, including the defeat of the sitting lieutenant governor in the GOP runoff, as evidence that voters are open to change.

Wilson has selected state Sen. Mike Reichenbach of Florence County as his running mate, saying Reichenbach would spearhead an effort to audit state agencies if elected.

Johnson has not yet announced a lieutenant governor candidate but said he expects to do so within the next month.

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