Is Rep. Johnson ready to launch SC governor bid? Here’s when he might join race
State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, who is exploring a run for governor, is planning to formally launch his campaign on Oct. 28, according to an online invitation reviewed by The State newspaper.
The state lawmaker, who’s in his third term in office, plans to kick off his bid on the steps of the State House at Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Johnson’s exploratory committee declined to discuss specifics of the event other than to say “we look forward to seeing folks at the announcement.”
Johnson’s entry would make him the second Democrat to enter the race to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster. Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod launched his bid in August and has put in more than $1.3 million of his own money into his campaign.
Johnson had previously said he was planning to make a decision by January, but said in an interview in August that timeline could be moved up.
“Hearing from the people of South Carolina, if the people continue the way they have been (reacting), we’ll make a decision sooner. Sooner rather than later,” Johnson said when asked what could lead to an earlier launch.
The winner of the Democratic nomination in June’s primary would face the winner of the Republican nomination, which is being sought by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman and Attorney General Alan Wilson.
“There’s no need to take jabs at anybody. Honestly, if you’ve been watching all of my social media posts, it is all about pointing out what’s happening in this state,” Johnson said in an interview in August. “I’m looking at the fact that our roads aren’t fixed. I’m looking at the fact that our public education system is in shambles. I’m looking at the issues that we don’t have OBGYNs. I’m looking at the issues that we are not actually investing in mental health. I’m looking at those things.”
However, the winner of the GOP nomination would be the favorite in the November 2026 general election as South Carolina is a reliably Republican state.
As Johnson considered a formal bid, he held fundraisers for his exploratory committee. One fundraiser on Aug. 12 in Columbia was hosted by several Democratic state lawmakers showing members of the party are already beginning to rally behind Johnson’s candidacy.
State Reps. Kambrell Garvin, Hamilton Grant, Annie McDaniel, John King, Rosalyn Henderson-Myers and Jerry Govan, state Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine and Deon Tedder, and former state Rep. Ivory Thigpen were listed as hosts for the Aug. 12 fundraiser at Garvin’s law office.
“Now you have to ask yourself, ‘who is prepared to potentially lead the fastest growing state in the nation so that we retain our talent?’” Grant said at the fundraiser. “I think that, and this is just my opinion, and hopefully it’s yours, too, as he explores, I think (Rep.) Johnson is a tremendous candidate as he explores the idea in running for governor.”
At the fundraiser, Johnson would not disclose how much he had raised during his exploratory phase, but said it would be reported if and when he formally launched a bid.
Johnson, a charismatic speaker, is capable of giving passionate speeches that can excite crowds. He’s had speeches that have gone viral.
President Donald Trump won’t be on the ballot in the 2026 election and the party that controls the White House generally sees losses during midterm elections. If a Democratic candidate at the top of the ticket in the state energizes the base, it could help those candidates down the ballot possibly flip state House seats, all of which are up for election in 2026.
“If I decide to make a decision to run for the top position in the state of South Carolina, it’s going to affect all of us,” Johnson said at the fundraiser. “Whether I win, lose, draw, whatever it is, it’s going to affect all of us, because it will affect down ballot races. It will affect everybody, and I have to make sure that I’m taking this role seriously.”
