South Carolina 2026 General Election

The Green Papers: South Carolina 2026 General Election

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South Carolina
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
✓ Primary: Tuesday 9 June 2026
✓ Primary Runoff (Democratic- US House 1, 2; Republican- Gov, US House 1, Atty Gen, Agric): Tuesday 23 June 2026
✓ Special Primary US Senate (R): Tuesday 11 August 2026
✓ Special Runoff US Senate (R): Tuesday 25 August 2026
✓ General Election: Tuesday 3 November 2026

✓ Monday 16 March - Monday 30 March 2026 - Filing Deadline - Primary/Third/Minor .
✓ Tuesday 9 June 2026 - Primary . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 23 June 2026 - Primary Runoff (Democratic- US House 1, 2; Republican- Gov, US House 1, Atty Gen, Agric) . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Wednesday 15 July 2026 - Filing Deadline - Independent .
✓ Tuesday 21 July - Tuesday 28 July 2026 - Filing - Special Primary US Senate (R) .
✓ Tuesday 11 August 2026 - Special Primary US Senate (R) . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 25 August 2026 - Special Runoff US Senate (R) . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 3 November 2026 - General Election . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EST (1200-0000 UTC).

Senators:	2	(Electoral Classes 2 and 3)
Governor:	1
2020 Census:	5,124,712	(1.65% of 309,785,186)
2024, 2028 Electoral Votes:	9	(0.00% of 538)
2022-2030 Representatives:	7	(1.61% of 435)
Capital:	Columbia

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South Carolina State and Local Government

If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters.

Voters who voted in a party's primary, can vote only in the runoff of the same party. Voters who did not vote in the primary, may vote in either party's runoff.

The primary is for Democratic and Republican candidates only. Candidates running unopposed for their Party's nomination will not appear on primary ballots.

A defeated primary candidate may not actively offer or campaign as a write-in candidate for the ensuing election. The use of posters or stickers on the ballot is not permitted. The voting machine provides for a voter to write-in a candidate. Write-in votes are not allowed in primary elections or the election of President or Vice-president.

Write-in votes for President of the United States are not allowed by law.

13 May 2022: Governor Henry D. McMaster (Republican) signed S 0108 {Rat #165} that bans fusion voting (candidates can run under the banner of multiple parties) effective in 2023.

The Alliance, Constitution, Green, Independence, Labor, Libertarian, United Citizens, and Working Families Parties may nominate by convention.

Upcoming Elections, Candidates, and Candidate Tracking from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

12 May 2026: The South Carolina Senate prevents HB 5683 from progressing. Hence, the state will not draw new U.S. House districts for 2026. The Senate decided not to extend the legislative session blocking the bill from being considered.

14 May 2026: Governor Henry D. McMaster (Republican) called a special 15 May legislative session to consider new U.S. House districts for 2026.

21 May 2026: The South Carolina state House of Representatives approved a new congressional map [H 5683, House Roll Call Vote Number 1500. Passed 74-36]. It now proceeds to the state Senate. The map is like to flip 1 seat to the Republicans. The timeline is U.S. House primaries on 18 August with runoffs on 1 September. The filing deadline would be 9 June 2026. Votes cast for the U.S. House in the 9 June primary would not be counted.

26 May 2026: The South Carolina state Senate defeated the new congressional map 26-18.

9 June 2026 primary: Returns from an official source.
Results from a media source.
Results from another media source.
Results from yet another media source.

23 June 2026 runoff returns from an official source.
Results from a media source.
Results from yet another media source.

11 August 2026 Special primary returns from an official source,
results from a media source.

25 August 2026 Special runoff returns from an official source,
Results from a media source.

General Election returns from the South Carolina State Election Commission.



U.S. Senate 6 year term. No Term Limit. 119^th Senate Senate Electoral Classes

Class 2		Republican	Senator Darline Graham Nordone • Appointed 13 July 2026 [re: passing of Lindsey Olin Graham (Republican) on 11 July 2026]. She is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws Section 7-11-55 after the death of the Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senate, a special primary to select a new Republican nominee will be held on 11 August. If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters on 25 August. Filing is Tuesday 21 July to Tuesday 28 July 2026.
	Candidate list (4, 2 write-ins)

		Democratic	1,043,712	51.14%	Anne Lintzenich "Annie" Andrews • FEC S6SC04239; 14 Oct 26; Tot $24,216,841; Dsb $22,507,375

		Republican	951,896	46.64%	Senator Darline Graham Nordone • 11 August 2026: Received 33% in the Special Primary. aka Darline Graham Proceeds to and won 25 August Runoff with 52.5% • FEC S6SC04437; 14 Oct 26; Tot $1,917,646; Dsb $1,283,216

		Libertarian	23,583	1.16%	Kathryn D. "Kasie" Whitener • FEC S6SC04247; 14 Oct 26; Tot $27,615; Dsb $21,833

		Constitution	16,806	0.82%	Mark J. Hackett

		Scattering	4,898	0.24%	Write-In

		Write-in; (Republican)			Member of Congress Ralph W. Norman, Jr. • Member of Congress CD 5 • FEC H8SC05158; 30 Sep 26; Tot $101,114; Dsb $610,478
Total			2,040,895	100.00%
	Senator Lindsey Olin Graham (Republican), who was first elected in 2002; and re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020, passed away on 11 July 2026 at the age of 71. "On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period." On 9 June 2026, he was renominated by primary. On 13 July 2026, Governor Henry Dargan McMaster (Republican) named Darline Graham Nordone, sister of Lindsey Olin Graham, to serve the remainder of the term which ends on 3 January 2027.

Class 3		Republican	Senator Timothy E. "Tim" Scott • Served in U.S. House- first elected: 2010; re-elected: 2012. Appointed to the U.S. Senate: 2 January 2013 (re: resignation of Senator James W. "Jim" DeMint [Republican]); first elected in a special election: 4 November 2014; re-elected: 2016, 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028

Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms, All Governors

Open		Republican	Governor Henry Dargan McMaster • 24 January 2017: Ascended to the Governor's Chair following the resignation of Governor Nikki Randhawa Haley (Republican) who became United Nations Ambassador; first elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022. • Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit.
	Candidate list (4, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,051,010	51.58%	Attorney General Michael Alan "Alan" Wilson • for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Mike Reichenbach • Received 26.4% in the 9 June primary. Advances to and won 23 June runoff.

		Democratic	960,269	47.13%	state Representative Jermaine L. Johnson, Sr. • for Lieutenant Governor: Samuel "Sam" Skardon

		United Citizens	16,123	0.79%	Michael A. Addison • for Lieutenant Governor: Candace Brewer

		Green	9,077	0.45%	Walid N. Hakim • for Lieutenant Governor: Arnold E. Karr

		Scattering	1,143	0.06%	Write-In
Total			2,037,622	100.00%

Lieutenant Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. (Beginning in 2018, the Lieutenant Governor will be elected on same ticket with the Governor.)

Open		Republican	Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette • First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Open Seat - Running for Governor in 2026. 23 June 2026: Did not receive her party's nomination for Governor.

119^th U.S. House of Representatives 2-year term. Election Cycle 2026, 2028. No Term Limit. 119^th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition): 6 Republican (2 Open, 4 Renominated); 1 Democratic (1 Renominated)

Incumbent - 119th Congress
CD 1 Open		Republican	Member of Congress Nancy Ruth Mace • First elected: 2020 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Open Seat - 4 August 2025: "I'm running for governor...." 9 June 2026: Did not receive her party's nomination for Attorney General in 2026.
	Candidate list (3, 2 write-ins) - 120th Congress

		Democratic	162,103	49.66%	Nancy S. Lacore • Received 36.6% in the 9 June primary. Advances to and won 23 June runoff. • FEC H6SC01359; 14 Oct 26; Tot $4,865,630; Dsb $4,690,325

		Republican	158,751	48.63%	Charleston County Council Member Jenny Costa Honeycutt • Received 22.1% in the 9 June primary. Advances to and won 23 June runoff. • FEC H6SC01334; 14 Oct 26; Tot $1,291,996; Dsb $983,978

		Libertarian	5,351	1.64%	William Oliver "Bill" Reeside, Jr. • FEC H6SC01342; 14 Oct 26; Tot $115,492; Dsb $111,832

		Scattering	218	0.07%	Write-In

		Write-in			Clayton Alexander Cuteri • FEC H6SC01375; 30 Sep 26; Tot $622; Dsb $229
Total			326,423	100.00%

Incumbent - 119th Congress
CD 2		Republican	Member of Congress Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson, Sr. • First Elected 18 December 2001 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by the death of Floyd Spence. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in) - 120th Congress

		Republican	147,791	49.82%	Member of Congress Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson, Sr. • FEC H2SC02059; 14 Oct 26; Tot $1,017,186; Dsb $924,450

		Democratic	144,865	48.83%	Zyon Deshon El-Khalifa • Received 33.6% in the 9 June primary. Advances to and won 23 June runoff. aka Zyon Khalifa. FEC H6SC02159 or H6SC02167 • FEC H6SC02159; 14 Oct 26; Tot $29,039; Dsb $21,891

		Workers Party	3,674	1.24%	Dayna Alane Smith

		Scattering	334	0.11%	Write-In
Total			296,664	100.00%
	9 September 2024: Member of Congress Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson, Sr. is hospitalized in Washington, D.C. with symptoms of a stroke.

Incumbent - 119th Congress
CD 3		Republican	Member of Congress Sheryl S. "Sheri" Biggs • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2026 • First elected: 2024. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in) - 120th Congress

		Republican	173,960	63.68%	Member of Congress Sheryl S. "Sheri" Biggs • FEC H4SC01313; 14 Oct 26; Tot $706,779; Dsb $609,646

		Democratic	93,955	34.39%	Eunice K. Lehmacher • FEC H6SC03090; 14 Oct 26; Tot $98,662; Dsb $76,687

		Libertarian	5,103	1.87%	Brian J. Corriea

		Scattering	150	0.05%	Write-In
Total			273,168	100.00%

Incumbent - 119th Congress
CD 4		Republican	Member of Congress William Richardson Timmons, IV • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2026 • First elected: 2018 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in) - 120th Congress

		Republican	146,944	51.71%	Member of Congress William Richardson Timmons, IV • FEC H8SC04250; 14 Oct 26; Tot $1,774,180; Dsb $1,708,692

		Democratic	129,742	45.65%	Courtney Deanna McClain • FEC H6SC04171; 14 Oct 26; Tot $130,730; Dsb $79,615

		Libertarian	7,215	2.54%	Jessica Ethridge • FEC H6SC04197; 30 Sep 26; Tot $963; Dsb $483

		Scattering	292	0.10%	Write-In
Total			284,193	100.00%

Incumbent - 119th Congress
CD 5 Open		Republican	Member of Congress Ralph W. Norman, Jr. • First elected in a Special Election: 20 June 2017 [re: resignation of Member of Congress John Michael "Mick" Mulvaney (Republican) to become Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump Administration] • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Open Seat - 25 July 2025: Member of Congress Norman is a candidate for Governor in 2026. "I'm running for governor to shake things up...." 9 June 2026: Did not receive his party's nomination for Attorney General in 2026. 13 July 2026: Candidate in the 11 August 2026 Special Primary for U.S. Senate Class 2. 25 August 2026: Did not receive his party's nomination for U.S. Senate Class 2.
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in) - 120th Congress

		Republican	151,497	52.81%	state Senator David W. "Wes" Climer • FEC H6SC05202; 14 Oct 26; Tot $1,132,484; Dsb $863,314

		Democratic	135,203	47.13%	Mallory B. Dittmer • FEC H6SC05228; 14 Oct 26; Tot $226,553; Dsb $146,989

		Scattering	158	0.06%	Write-In
Total			286,858	100.00%

Incumbent - 119th Congress
CD 6		Democratic	Member of Congress James Enos "Jim" Clyburn • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2026 • First elected: 1992 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in) - 120th Congress

		Democratic	180,840	69.36%	Member of Congress James Enos "Jim" Clyburn • FEC H2SC02042; 14 Oct 26; Tot $1,687,458; Dsb $1,698,874

		Republican	79,584	30.52%	John A. Peterson • FEC H6SC06184

		Scattering	318	0.12%	Write-In
Total			260,742	100.00%

Incumbent - 119th Congress
CD 7		Republican	Member of Congress Russell W. Fry • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2026 • First elected: 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated - to the US House. 11 August 2026: Did not receive his party's nomination in the Special Primary for U.S. Senate.
	Candidate list (2, 2 write-ins) - 120th Congress

		Republican	172,439	56.71%	Member of Congress Russell W. Fry • FEC H2SC07280; 14 Oct 26; Tot $1,985,244; Dsb $2,387,239

		Democratic	131,445	43.23%	John Gregory Vincent • FEC H6SC07034; 14 Oct 26; Tot $640,419; Dsb $570,071

		Scattering	204	0.07%	Write-In

		Write-in			Carter Montgomery Gibson-Grossmann • FEC H6SC07059
Total			304,088	100.00%

Secretary of State 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026

		Republican	Secretary of State John Mark "Mark" Hammond • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2026 • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,073,652	52.97%	Secretary of State John Mark "Mark" Hammond

		Democratic	952,186	46.98%	Jason D. Belton • 9 June 2026: Received 50.6% of the vote in the primary.

		Scattering	961	0.05%	Write-In
Total			2,026,799	100.00%

Attorney General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026

Open		Republican	Attorney General Michael Alan "Alan" Wilson • First elected: 2010; re-elected: 2014, 2018, 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Open Seat - Candidate for Governor in 2026. 23 June 2026: Received his party's nomination for Governor.
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,059,358	52.30%	Eighth Judicial Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo • Received 35.0% in the 9 June primary. Advances to and won 23 June runoff.

		Democratic	964,921	47.64%	Richard A. Hricik

		Scattering	1,135	0.06%	Write-In
Total			2,025,414	100.00%

Treasurer 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026

		Republican	Treasurer Curtis Melvin "Curt" Loftis, Jr. • First elected: 2010; re-elected: 2014, 2018, 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,062,666	52.52%	Treasurer Curtis Melvin "Curt" Loftis, Jr.

		Democratic	959,539	47.42%	Vincent Brian Coe

		Scattering	1,107	0.05%	Write-In
Total			2,023,312	100.00%

Comptroller General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026

Open		Democratic	Comptroller General Brian J. Gains • Appointed 12 May 2023 by Governor Henry D. McMaster (Republican) [re: resignation of Comptroller General Richard A. Eckstrom]. As this was a recess appointment, he will serve until such time as the General Assembly shall elect a successor. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Open Seat - Comptroller General Gains will not seek re-election.
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,048,553	52.05%	Michael B. "Mike" Burkhold

		Democratic	965,075	47.91%	Tiffany M. Boozer

		Scattering	730	0.04%	Write-In
Total			2,014,358	100.00%
	23 March 2023: Comptroller General Richard A. Eckstrom, who was first elected in 2002; re-elected in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022, announced his resignation effective 30 April 2023 following a $3.5 billion error in the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The state legislature will elect a replacement to fill the remainder of the 4 year term which ends in January 2027. 12 May 2023: Brian J. Gains was appointed by Governor Henry D. McMaster (Republican).

Commissioner of Agriculture 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026

Open		Republican	Agriculture Commissioner Hugh E. Weathers • Named Interim Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of South Carolina on 14 September 2004 by Governor Mark Sanford upon the suspension of Republican Agriculture Commissioner Charles "Charlie" Sharpe; first elected: 2006; re-elected: 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Open Seat - Agriculture Commissioner Weathers is retiring and will not seek re-election.
	Candidate list (4, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,042,601	51.58%	William R. "Cody" Simpson • Received 38.1% in the 9 June primary. Advances to and won 23 June runoff.

		Democratic	922,961	45.66%	DeShawn LaVar Blanding

		Libertarian	38,468	1.90%	Michael Dean Sullens

		United Citizens	16,030	0.79%	Christopher "Chris" Nelums

		Scattering	1,137	0.06%	Write-In
Total			2,021,197	100.00%

Superintendent of Education 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026

		Republican	Education Superintendent Ellen E. Weaver • First elected: 2022. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,032,516	50.97%	Education Superintendent Ellen E. Weaver

		Democratic	976,406	48.20%	Sylvia A. Wright

		United Citizens	15,494	0.76%	Steven "Baba Amin Ojuok" Richmond • aka Baba Amin Ojuok. aka Steven Richmond

		Scattering	1,275	0.06%	Write-In
Total			2,025,691	100.00%

Political Parties Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties Those parties which received electoral votes through winning a plurality of a state's [or the District of Columbia's] popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Democratic (affiliates): 2 incumbents, 15 candidates
	• Republican: 15 incumbents, 16 candidates
Major Third Parties Any Party, other than a Major Party, receiving a minimum of 15/100ths of 1 percent of the nationwide popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Constitution (affiliates): 1 candidate
	• Green (affiliates): 1 candidate
	• Libertarian: 5 candidates
Other Third Parties
	• American
	• Labor
	• United Citizens: 3 candidates
	• Unity
	• Workers Party: 1 candidate
	• Working Families
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
	• Scattering: 15 candidates
	• Write-in: 3 candidates
Candidates running under the banner of more than one party are counted towards each party's total. A candidate who has lost a primary or is apparently no longer a candidate is not counted.

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

Primary dates marked "presumably" and polling times marked "reportedly" are based on unofficial or estimated data (especially as regards local variations from a jurisdictionwide statutory and/or regulatory standard) and are, thereby, subject to change.

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.

Links Links to other web sites

Election Authority
	• South Carolina State Election Commission
Democratic
	• South Carolina Democratic Party
	• South Carolina House Democratic Caucus
	• South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus
Republican
	• The South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus
Third Party
	• Alliance Party formerly called The American Party of South Carolina
	• Labor Party
	• South Carolina Green Party
	• South Carolina Workers Party
	• South Carolina Working Families Party
	• The Constitution Party of South Carolina
	• The Unity Party of South Carolina
Media & others
	• FITSNews - Sic Willie
	• Greenville Magazine
	• Lexington County Chronicle
	• Politics1.com - South Carolina
	• South Carolina Citizens for Life (SCCL is a non-partisan, non-sectarian pro-life organization and is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee)
	• Statehouse Report - Charleston
	• The Item - Sumter
	• The Lancaster News
	• The News & Reporter - Chester County
	• The Post and Courier - Charleston
	• The Times and Democrat - Orangeburg
	• The Union Daily Times
	• WCIV TV - ABC - Mount Pleasant
	• WIS TV - NBC - Columbia
	• WLTX TV - CBS - Columbia