Many elections appear on the horizon including city council, state elections, and federal elections at large. Many seniors and juniors will be eligible to vote in these elections, so below is a brief guide to the candidates running in South Carolina in 2025 and 2026.

Governor of South Carolina

Since the incumbent Governor Henry McMaster (R) limited by  term limits, he will be ineligible to run for reelection. Governor McMaster has been a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump (R), with examples such as the recent deployment of South Carolina National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. in what the President has labeled a “public safety emergency.” The SCGOP is likely to seek a candidate who matches McMaster’s predominantly conservative policies, while the SCDP is likely to opt for a strong candidate to be able to secure a Democratic governor, which would be a first since 2003.

Nancy Mace (R): The United States Representative for SC District 01 since 2020. Mace has described herself as “Trump in high heels” and was a representative in the SC House of Representatives before joining the United States House of Representatives. Mace launched her gubernatorial campaign in early August, giving her launch speech at the Citadel and stating, “I’m running for governor because South Carolina doesn’t need another empty suit. It needs a governor who will fight for you and your values.”

Mace has attracted controversy across her four year career as a congresswoman, with notable incidents including her challenging a Texas representative to a fight on the congressional floor in January, cursing out a Mount Pleasant resident at an Ulta in April, and the recent dismissal of a defamation suit that started in February when Mace accused four men of drugs and sex crimes. Mace has also launched her “Mother of all Town Halls” series where she is set to speak to constituents face to face, something critics have condemned her for refusing to do in past.

“I am Trump in high heels.” – Nancy Mace

Alan Wilson (R): The current Attorney General of South Carolina and the son of Representative Joe Wilson. Alan Wilson has also been a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, and was a member of a coalition of attorney generals who filed a suit to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election. Across his career, Wilson has stood for religious-based conservative ideals such as opposition to both same-sex marriage and abortion. In June, Wilson launched his campaign stating shortly after his launch, “I’m going to DOGE all of South Carolina government, from the bottom to the top and back down again.”

Wilson has cited his priorities on public safety, school choice, and promising to crackdown on illegal immigration and deport those considered “illegal immigrants.” Wilson has a background in the South Carolina National Guard, but has faced controversy for failing to disclose almost 100 campaign donations, and for his involvement in a corruption investigation starting in late 2013. Fun fact: I’ve met Alan Wilson and forgot to give him back his sharpie when I visited the State House during Palmetto Boys State. If Wilson were to win the gubernatorial election, I should only hope that I remain free of prosecution from this accidental theft.

“Today marks the beginning of a new fight. I’m ready to take that fight, to turn the page from what our state could be to what our state will soon be.” – Alan Wilson

Ralph Norman (R): A member of the U.S. House of Representatives for District 05, Norman has been an ally of former governor Nikki Haley (R) for some time. Norman is a former state representative, and owns a real estate company in addition to being in Congress. Norman has been noted for being one of the wealthiest members of Congress, with a reported net worth of around $66 million. Ideologically, Norman is one of the most conservative members of Congress, and has been ranked the most conservative member of the House of Representatives throughout his life.

He is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a staunchly conservative coalition within Congress. Norman voted against both House impeachments of Donald Trump, and during the tenure of President Joe Biden, Norman cosponsored resolutions to impeach both Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris respectively. Norman is running on a platform that involves creating a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for South Carolina, cutting federal spending, slashing public benefits for undocumented immigrants, and strong support for the Second Amendment. Norman’s background reflects his beliefs as a staunch conservative, but he has drawn criticism in the past for refusing to follow congressional mask mandates during COVID, as well as pulling out a loaded gun during a meeting with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

“Columbia’s a mess. Corruption, broken roads, career politicians. I’m running for Governor to clean it up and put South Carolinians first.” – Ralph Norman

Pamela Evette (R): The 93rd Lieutenant Governor under Henry McMaster, Evette previously worked as a businesswoman. She was the founder and former CEO of Quality Business Solutions before serving as Lieutenant Governor.

Her campaign website describes her as having a firm commitment to businesses in South Carolina. Her website states a loyalty to Donald Trump, and her support for his policies regarding immigration. She has also cited her support for school choice, a policy that has come under fire from the private school voucher bill that advanced through the South Carolina State House this spring. She has also cited her support for the elimination of the state income tax. In a speech given at her campaign launch, Evette emphasized how she would eliminate 10 regulations for every new one created and how she would fight “woke corporations” on the “radical left” which she claims are trying to “transform” South Carolina. Evette is set to face fierce competition from among the other Republican primary candidates, who will all be vying for a much-coveted Trump endorsement.

“I’ll follow the playbook that made South Carolina so successful.” – Pamela Evette

Josh Kimbrell (R): Senator Josh Kimbrell has been a part of the South Carolina State Senate since 2021. Kimbrell represents District 11 which consists of Spartanburg County and serves on the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Veteran’s Services, Judiciary, Labor, Commerce and Industry, and Medical Affairs committees.

As a Republican, Kimbrell has supported viewpoints including but not limited to:

– Incorporating the Bible into public school curricula.

– Banning Critical Race Theory from public schools.

– Allowing teachers to conceal carry during school hours.

– Establishing an Office of Parental Rights for educational institutions.

Kimbrell has faced controversy over a $2 million suit filed against him by a former business partner. The suit claims that Kimbrell diverted money from the company account into his own PayPal, transferred money to his wife, and used credit cards under his business partner’s name. Kimbrell has currently filed a counter-suit for $10 million in damages.

“I’m fighting for a stronger, freer state rooted in our founding principles.” – Josh Kimbrell

W. Mullins McLeod (D): A Charleston native and the only Democrat to launch a bid for governor so far, Mullins McLeod is a 3rd generation lawyer currently working for McLeod Law Group LLC.

McLeod has served as a lawyer and a two-time chair of the Charleston County Democratic Party. He ran for governor in 2010 unsuccessfully. This year has proved controversial for McLeod beginning with his arrest at the battery in May of this year. McLeod was wearing only underwear and shoes while screaming obscenities. He was arrested off of King Street and Murray Boulevard and identified himself to the police as “Superman” and “God.” The resurfacing of this video has lead to the South Carolina Democratic Party Chair writing him a letter formally asking him to drop out of the race.

McLeod has advocated for eliminating the state’s income tax, pushing for term limits, making childcare 100% tax deductible, giving businesses tax write-offs for employee student loans, and raising teacher salaries, but has stood for more conservative positions as well such as limiting participation of transgender athletes in sports. With many calls to drop out of the race, McLeod has emphasized he will remain in the race.

“My plan and purpose has never been clearer, so I’m going to keep my head down and I’m going to keep working.” – W. Mullins McLeod

Although many candidates have already started their campaign advertising, official filing doesn’t open until next March, with the election happening in November of 2026. We encourage all our Raptors who will be 18 as of November 3, 2026 to do their research and make an informed decision before casting their vote.