South Carolina Holds Primary Elections for 2026 Congressional and Gubernatorial Races

Jun 9, 2026

South Carolina holds its primary elections on June 9, 2026, to select party nominees for the November general election. A key contest is the crowded Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed term-limited Henry McMaster, featuring Trump-endorsed Pamela Evette. Incumbents like Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Jim Clyburn also face challengers. The state uses an open primary system, with runoffs scheduled for June 23 if no candidate secures a majority.

South Carolina primary election procedures

▪If no candidate wins over 50% of the vote in a primary, a runoff election between the top two candidates will be held on June 23.
▪The state has an open primary system, allowing any registered voter to choose one party's ballot.
▪Voters are required by state law to present an acceptable form of photo ID at their polling place.
▪In some contests, the primary winner is likely to win the November general election due to the absence of a major party opponent.
▪South Carolina's primary elections are being held on June 9, 2026, with polls open until 7 p.m.

Gubernatorial primary races

▪A crowded Republican primary is being held for governor to replace the term-limited incumbent, Henry McMaster.
▪Democratic candidates for governor include state representative Jermaine Johnson, lawyer Mullins McLeod, and businessman Billy Webster.
▪Donald Trump has endorsed Pamela Evette in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
▪Gubernatorial candidate Alan Wilson was vice-chair of a GOP attorneys general group whose fundraising arm made robocalls preceding the January 6th attack.
▪Republican gubernatorial candidates include Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and U.S. Representative Nancy Mace.

U.S. Senate primary contests

▪The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate features three candidates: Annie Andrews, Brandon P. Brown, and Kyle Freeman.
▪Incumbent Republican Lindsey Graham is among six candidates running in the U.S. Senate primary.

U.S. House primary contests

▪In U.S. House District 2, incumbent Republican Joe Wilson faces two primary challengers.
▪U.S. House primaries proceeded on June 9 after a potential delay related to redrawing district lines did not materialize.
▪In U.S. House District 6, incumbent Democrat James E. "Jim" Clyburn is being challenged by Frederick R. Goodwin.

Statewide office primaries

▪The Republican primary for Attorney General includes candidates Stephen Goldfinch, David M. Pascoe, and David Stumbo.
▪Republican incumbents Mark Hammond (Secretary of State) and Curtis Loftis (State Treasurer) will advance directly to the general election.
▪Primaries are being held for multiple statewide offices, including Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture.

County legislative races

▪Voters will decide nominees for the South Carolina House of Representatives and dozens of local offices.
▪Primary elections are being held for county-level positions in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, and Sumter counties.