Republican Alan Wilson wins South Carolina’s 2026 governor race, AP projects

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTV) - Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson won South Carolina’s 2026 gubernatorial race, defeating Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, the Associated Press projected on Wednesday morning.

As of 12:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, the Associated Press called the U.S. governor’s race in North Carolina in favor of Wilson. At that time, Wilson had secured 51.6% of the vote compared to Johnson’s 47.1%.

Wilson’s victory gives Republicans a key hold in the 2026 race for governor in a state that Republicans have held since 2003.

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Candidate details

Wilson has served as South Carolina’s attorney general since 2011.

He advanced to a June 23, 2026, GOP primary runoff against Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette following the June 9 primary. He then won the runoff to become the Republican nominee for governor.

His Democratic opponent, Rep. Johnson, represents District 52 (Kershaw & Richland counties) in the South Carolina House. Johnson clinched the Democratic nomination for governor on June 9, 2026, after announcing his bid on Oct. 28, 2025.

General election info

The race was for an open governor’s seat. Incumbent Republican Gov. Henry McMaster is term-limited and could not run for reelection in 2026.

The general election was held Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, with Wilson facing Johnson. Winner Wilson will serve a four-year term beginning January 2027.

South Carolina voters cast their ballots for several key races on Tuesday, in addition to the governor race.

Voters were also electing a U.S. Senator to represent the state, in addition to voting for other local offices.

In the U.S. Senate race in South Carolina, Republican Sen. Darline Graham -- the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham -- is running against Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews.

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