On June 10, 2026, South Carolina Democratic voters selected Jermaine Johnson, a former basketball player and current state lawmaker, as their nominee for governor. Johnson, who represents parts of Richland and Kershaw Counties, was declared the winner by the Associated Press after launching his campaign just months prior. He previously defeated longtime incumbent Jimmy Bales in 2020.
The Democratic Party in South Carolina has not elected a governor since Jim Hodges in 2002. Johnson criticized his fellow candidates for not engaging with voters in various regions of the state, stating, "I have been going to places where they have never seen a candidate before, and people are fired up."
His main opponents included Mullins McLeod, a trial lawyer, and Billy Webster, a businessman with connections to past presidential administrations. McLeod emphasized the need for systemic change in government, while Webster focused on his business experience and a pragmatic approach to governance.
Johnson played college basketball at the College of Charleston and went undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft before joining the Reno Bighorns in the NBA's G-League. The Democratic primary highlighted differing views on engagement and governance among the candidates.
