Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
18.9%
16.9%
15.9%
14.0%
12.2%
A. Wilson
South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
$2.2M
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age41 years old (Dec 18, 1984)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundSouth Carolina State Senator
EducationNorth Greenville University (B.A., 2007)
Notable personal detailsJoshua Brett Kimbrell is a Republican member of the South Carolina Senate representing District 11 (Spartanburg County), first taking office on November 9, 2020. He previously worked in commercial real estate sales and leasing and has been involved in conservative media and policy advocacy, including hosting a radio program called “Common Cents” and chairing the Palmetto Conservative Alliance. He has also served as chairman of the Spartanburg County Republican Party (2017–2018) and has been active with veterans-related nonprofits in the Upstate.
SourcesShowHide
scstatehouse.goven.wikipedia.orgjoshkimbrell.comciclt.netthestate.comrepbio.orglive5news.comfoxcarolina.comabccolumbia.comfitsnews.comnationaltoday.comlaw.justia.compsanewsroom.comcvsc.orgdoc.sc.govsccourts.orggreenvillechamber.orgbhfs.comwyff4.compresidency.ucsb.eduspectrumlocalnews.comapnews.comsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgwrdw.comsengov.comballotready.orgyahoo.comlykelect.comvote.norml.orgherelexington.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcbsnews.comlatimes.comfec.govsenate.govdemocrats.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgrepublicanleader.senate.govtimmons.house.govfinance.senate.govjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.govvotesmart.orgnga.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting state taxes and advocated for a large, multi-billion-dollar reduction in South Carolina income taxes; was a sponsor/co-sponsor of the 2022 Comprehensive Tax Cut Act that phased down the top marginal rate and provided taxpayer rebates. Positions emphasize tax cuts and reduced tax burden for individuals and manufacturing.
Healthcare
Josh Kimbrell supports reforms aimed at lowering costs and restructuring South Carolina’s health-care system, with an emphasis on reducing insurance costs for businesses and improving veterans’ health and mental-health services. His public platform highlights modernizing state services and addressing insurance affordability rather than expanding large new government coverage programs.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports expanding immigration enforcement and stronger border controls while endorsing policies that deputize state law enforcement to address illegal immigration. Expresses approval of aggressive enforcement approaches taken by national Republican governors.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports restricting abortion through a fetal-heartbeat/6-week style law while allowing exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother, and certain fetal anomalies. Has sponsored and worked on legislation to limit abortion in South Carolina and sought clarification to ensure medical-care exceptions are understood by providers.
Climate & Energy
The candidate has supported legislative measures that advance clean-energy and conservation goals, including votes for offshore wind industry development and commercial property-assessed clean energy programs, and has a high recent score from a state conservation group. His public campaign announcements emphasize deregulation and tax changes but do not articulate opposition to renewable energy investments.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports broad Second Amendment rights and opposed additional penalties for responsible gun owners; has sponsored measures expanding where permit-holders or employees could carry and said responsible gun owners should not be penalized. Emphasizes backing law enforcement while arguing that criminal use of guns remains a crime.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 11, 2026
Josh Kimbrell is running in South Carolina’s Republican governor primary and has been part of the main candidate debates ahead of the June 9 vote. He was included with the other top GOP contenders in Charleston debates that focused on taxes, roads, infrastructure, school choice, and party priorities. The race is still active, with runoff elections set for June 23 if no candidate wins outright.
scstatehouse.gov+45
Articles
L5Live 5 News WCSC2 months ago
Republican gubernatorial candidates to face off on Charleston debate stage
Neutral
L5Live 5 News WCSC2 months ago
WATCH LIVE: Republican gubernatorial candidates to face off on Charleston debate stage
Neutral
WWIS102 months ago
🔴LIVE: SC Republican candidates for governor to debate in Charleston
Neutral
CPCharleston Post and Courier2 months ago
No polling, who’s invited?
Neutral
Polls
South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising