South Carolina Democratic voters selected Jermaine Johnson, a former basketball player and current state lawmaker, as their nominee for governor on June 10, 2026. Johnson, who represents parts of Richland and Kershaw Counties, was declared the winner by the Associated Press after a competitive primary race involving three candidates. He previously ousted incumbent Jimmy Bales in 2020 with support from fellow Democrat Bakari Sellers.
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. During a recent primary debate, he criticized his opponents for not engaging with voters in certain areas, 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 who emphasized the need for systemic change in state governance, and Billy Webster, a businessman with experience in both the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations. Webster focused on his business background and pragmatic approach to governance, advocating for growth and infrastructure improvements.
