Jermaine Johnson advances to November general election in South Carolina governor race
(WCIV) — Democrat State House Rep. Jermaine Johnson cleared the party primary on Tuesday in his bid for governor of South Carolina.
Jermaine Johnson
Image: Jermaine Johnson – Facebook
Johnson will now advance to November’s general election after defeating Billy Webster and Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod.
The Associated Press called the race at 8:45 p.m. with roughly 55% of the vote in.
Johnson has served as a lightning rod in the Democratic Party primary. Following the AP calling the race, Johnson thanked his supporters while also stating that the work is only beginning.
“This victory belongs to every volunteer, donor, supporter, and voter who believed our state deserves more,” he said. “Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your support. Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we get back to work.”
WE DID IT, SOUTH CAROLINA.
This victory belongs to every volunteer, donor, supporter, and voter who believed our state deserves more.
Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your support.
Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we get back to work.
Together, we’re building a #NEWSC. pic.twitter.com/xMnmQH96hm
— Jermaine Johnson 🇺🇸 (@Dr_JLJohnson) June 10, 2026
During the primary campaign, Johnson repeatedly stated that he didn’t believe South Carolina is a deep red state.
“I don’t believe that South Carolina’s a red state,” he said in February. “I believe South Carolina right now is just a state of people who have decided to check out and not vote.”
The last time a Democrat was governor of South Carolina was when Jim Hodges served from Jan. 13, 1999, to Jan. 15, 2003.
Johnson knows it is a long shot for a Democrat statewide. The last Democrat to win any statewide office was Jim Rex in 2006, when he became state superintendent of education by fewer than 500 votes.
But animating Johnson’s run is something he claims is far bigger. He wants to improve infrastructure, mental health, education and economic opportunity within the state, he said.
“We don’t need leaders focused on attacking other states or playing Washington politics. We need a governor focused on fixing what’s broken right here at home,” he said then. “South Carolina has one of the highest percentages of bridges in disrepair in the nation and some of the most dangerous roads in America. Our infrastructure cannot support our growing population and families are paying the price.”
