Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
16.9%
15.9%
14.0%
12.2%
Republican
Josh Kimbrell
Republican candidate for Governor in South Carolina
Republican
Josh Kimbrell
Republican candidate for Governor in South Carolina
South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
$3.0M
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$3.0MJUN 24, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age41 years old (Dec 18, 1984)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundState senator
EducationNorth Greenville University, B.A. (2007)
Notable personal detailsJoshua Brett "Josh" Kimbrell is a Republican member of the South Carolina Senate representing District 11 (Spartanburg County), first elected in 2020. He is a commercial real estate sales and leasing professional and has served as chairman of the Spartanburg County Republican Party (2017–2018). In 2025, he launched a campaign for governor of South Carolina but suspended that campaign in June 2026 and said he would continue serving in the state senate.
SourcesShowHide
scstatehouse.goven.wikipedia.orgsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgfoxcarolina.commultistate.uselectionhistory.scvotes.govjosh2026.comsaludagop.orgballotready.orgsenate.govethicsfiling.sc.govbishopgadsden.orgscott.senate.govgovinfo.govarxiv.orgjoshkimbrell.comlive5news.comwyff4.compresidency.ucsb.eduspectrumlocalnews.comcvsc.orgapnews.comwrdw.comrepbio.orgsengov.comciclt.netyahoo.comlykelect.comvote.norml.orgherelexington.comabcnews4.comwbtv.comfacebook.comfitsnews.comwspa.comscdailygazette.compostandcourier.comwsoctv.comwbtw.comaol.comtiktok.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgfec.govvotesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orges.wikipedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgjudiciary.senate.gov
Political 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.
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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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 16, 2026
Josh Kimbrell is in the news as one of the Republican candidates running for South Carolina governor in the 2026 race. He has been taking part in the party’s debates, including recent Charleston events that focused on taxes, roads, infrastructure, school choice, and other campaign issues. The race has moved into the runoff stage after the June primary, keeping the GOP contest active and undecided.
scstatehouse.gov+50
Articles
L5Live 5 News WCSC5 months ago
Republican gubernatorial candidates to face off on Charleston debate stage
Neutral
L5Live 5 News WCSC5 months ago
WATCH LIVE: Republican gubernatorial candidates to face off on Charleston debate stage
Neutral
WWIS105 months ago
🔴LIVE: SC Republican candidates for governor to debate in Charleston
Neutral
CPCharleston Post and Courier5 months ago
No polling, who’s invited?
Neutral
Latest Polls
South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Josh Kimbrell currently averages 2.3%, ranking 5th in this race, 9.9 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 2.3%Position: 5thMargin: -9.9 ptsLatest poll: 4.0% (Jun 6 - 7)Polls included: 32
Average recalculated from polls through Jun 6 - 7.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising