Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
28.5%
16.1%
6.7%
South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
$40.1K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
GenderMale
LocationSouth Carolina
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BackgroundPolitician
EducationCollege of Charleston (basketball scholarship)
Notable personal detailsJermaine Johnson is a Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the 2026 Democratic nominee for Governor of South Carolina. First elected to the state House in 2020, he has served on the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee and has also served on the Education and Public Works Committee. He attended the College of Charleston on a basketball scholarship, later played professional basketball, and earned a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. He lives in Hopkins, South Carolina, with his wife, Dr. Evan Patrice Johnson, and their four children.
SourcesShowHide
johnsonforsc.comapnews.comthestate.comen.wikipedia.orgfoxcarolina.comwbtv.comdemocraticgovernors.orgdemocrats.orgscdailygazette.comsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgelectionhistory.scvotes.govlander.edusmarter.votedrjermainejohnsonforschouse.comyahoo.comcvsc.orgwistv.compodcasts.apple.comjohnsonforsc.orgnews.wttw.comjajohnsoncpa.comwbez.orgthetriibe.comidcrawl.comchicago.suntimes.comcareers.jnj.comjjins.comwayup.comabcnews4.comfitsnews.cominstagram.compostandcourier.comeciks.orggreenvilleonline.comwrdw.com19thnews.orglivenowfox.comsports.yahoo.comthemarylandwire.substack.compeople.comslowboring.commsn.com2paragraphs.comwpde.comfacebook.comwset.comballotpedia.orgballotready.orgnga.orgfec.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govcongress.gov
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 updatedJul 15, 2026
Jermaine Johnson won the Democratic nomination for South Carolina governor and will face Republican nominee Alan Wilson in the November general election. He advanced through a primary campaign focused on issues like the economy, infrastructure, and education. Earlier reports showed him as one of the leading Democratic fundraisers, with about $160,000 reported in first-quarter fundraising.
johnsonforsc.com+53
Articles
WWIS101 month ago
South Carolina governor’s race set as Wilson, Johnson turn to general election
Neutral
CPCharleston Post and Courier2 months ago
SC governor’s race faces potential GOP runoff; Johnson leads
Positive
WWIS102 months ago
DECISION 2026: Tracking results of Democratic primary for SC governor
Neutral
L5Live 5 News WCSC2 months ago
South Carolina Democrats make final pitch ahead of June 9 primary
Neutral
Polls
South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Jermaine Johnson for South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
South Carolina AFL-CIO
Elected official
The South Carolina AFL-CIO endorsed Jermaine Johnson for governor.
State House colleagues
Elected official
A slate of Jermaine Johnson's state House colleagues endorsed his campaign for governor.
Mayor Jay Doyle of Georgetown, South Carolina
Elected official
Mayor Jay Doyle of Georgetown, South Carolina endorsed Jermaine Johnson for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising