Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
25%
8%
South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
$3.8K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
Age40 years old (Jul 4, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundState representative
EducationCollege of Charleston (full scholarship; alumnus)
Notable personal detailsJermaine Lafrance Johnson Sr. is a Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (District 52, parts of Richland and Kershaw counties) and a candidate for governor of South Carolina in 2026. He previously played professional basketball overseas and has described earning a full scholarship to the College of Charleston. He founded the New Economic Beginnings Foundation and has worked as an owner of Dream Team Consulting and as an adjunct professor at Midlands Technical College.
SourcesShowHide
johnsonforsc.comsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgen.wikipedia.orgthestate.comabccolumbia.comfoxcarolina.comwrdw.comelectionhistory.scvotes.govoctagonai.cofitsnews.comaxios.comapnews.combgrdc.combhfs.comdrjermainejohnsonforschouse.comyahoo.comcvsc.orgwistv.compodcasts.apple.comjohnsonforsc.orgnews.wttw.comjajohnsoncpa.comwbez.orgthetriibe.comidcrawl.comchicago.suntimes.comcareers.jnj.comjjins.comwayup.comseattletimes.comcbsnews.comabcnews.go.comwashingtonpost.comstatic.politico.comstatic.votesmart.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgnga.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates both increased direct payments to residents (a proposed Palmetto Dividend universal payment of $400 per adult) and targeted tax relief for working families (including lowering property taxes). There is no clear, consistent proposal in the available materials that specifies how the dividend would be funded or whether taxes would be raised on high earners or corporations to pay for expanded programs.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to healthcare including investing in rural hospitals and broadening coverage; prioritizes affordable healthcare and reproductive rights as part of his policy agenda.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports protecting women’s reproductive rights and says medical decisions should be left to families and their doctors. He has written legislation related to centering female legislators on reproductive issues and frames protecting reproductive rights as a policy priority.
Climate & Energy
Supports investing in state infrastructure and increasing in-state production and resiliency for food, energy, and water (including a campaign proposal to require at least 25% in-state production). Has supported alternative-fuel tax credits and generally scores highly with state conservation voters, while showing mixed positions on specific bills.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports increasing accountability for gun owners and tougher penalties for negligent storage to prevent children from accessing firearms; emphasizes prioritizing youth safety and putting resources behind prevention. No explicit support for sweeping bans or constitutional-carry measures found in the sourced materials.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 19, 2026
Jermaine Johnson is in the news as a Democratic candidate in South Carolina’s governor race. Recent reports say he is one of the main Democratic contenders ahead of the June 9 primary, and his campaign reported about $160,000 in first-quarter fundraising, roughly on par with fellow Democrat Billy Webster. He also took part in a candidate forum where Democrats outlined priorities such as affordability, infrastructure, mental health, and conservation.
johnsonforsc.com+40
Articles
GNGreenville News1 month ago
SC candidates for governor raise more than $1 million, here's who
Neutral
WWIS102 months ago
Upstate businessman is third Democrat to join SC Governor’s race
Neutral
CPCharleston Post and Courier16 days ago
The 2026 Republican and Democratic governor candidate bios
Neutral
WWIS102 months ago
LIST: 2026 primary elections in the Midlands
Neutral
Polls
South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising