And then there were two — Stage set for Johnson, Wilson face-off in governor’s race

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Attorney General Alan Wilson’s landslide victory in Tuesday night’s GOP runoff sets up a clear race between Wilson and his Democratic opponent, Representative Jermaine Johnson, this November.

“What a night, ladies and gentlemen, what a night!” says Wilson to supporters at his campaign’s Tuesday night watch party at the Marriott Hotel.

According to the SC Election Commission, Wilson received over 68% of the votes and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette secured over 31%.

“It’s ok to be disappointed, Lord knows that I am,” Evette says to her supporters, asking her voters to support Wilson come November.

Wilson asked her supporters to do the same. “Give me that opportunity and I will fight as hard for you as you fought for her,” Wilson says.

Wilson also thanked President Trump for his endorsement (after Trump first endorsed Evette). “I think he likes a fighter, and I think that’s what won him over,” says Wilson.

Johnson, securing his win as the Democratic nominee two weeks ago, addressed media, and specifically Trump’s double endorsement, Wednesday afternoon at the State House.

“He did not want to look bad amongst the people of South Carolina,” says Johnson, adding, “This is the problem with SC politics right now. We don’t want D.C. operating in S-C.”

Johnson and Wilson laid out their plans as governor — both saying they will prioritize infrastructure and affordability.

Both promising a new path forward.

Johnson says he’ll bring about a new South Carolina.

“See the new S-C is a new way forward. It’s a new vision that includes all people. One where we can be happy and proud of where we come from. One where we can drive down a smoothly paved road, going to our one well paid job after dropping our children off at a well performing public school to go home to our safe neighborhood,” says Johnson. He went on to say, “A new S-C means not just a minimum wage but a livable wage. A new S-C means more affordable healthcare. A new S-C means better infrastructure. A new S-C means addressing the crime we have in this state. A new S-C means better education.”

Wilson says he hopes to transform South Carolina.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I aspire not to be a transitional governor but to be a transformational governor. Our number one goal will be to make living in our state more affordable for our families. To make our economy more profitable for your businesses, and to make our government more accountable to you,” says Wilson, adding, “We’re gonna fight to eliminate the income tax, reduce your property taxes, doge, fraud waste and abuse from government, fix our crumbling roads and bridges, lower our utility rates, promote a kids first education agenda, reform our judicial selection process and much much more.”

Election Day will take place Tuesday, November 3rd.