They want to be SC governor. Here are their thoughts on the measles outbreak
Hopefuls for governor in this year’s election have weighed in on the ongoing measles outbreak in the state, which is primarily centered in Spartanburg County. The outbreak, where 950 cases have been confirmed in South Carolina, has led to questions about how whether people, specifically children, should be getting the measles vaccine.
Pamela Evette
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette spoke about vaccines during an event with Post and Courier in Mount Pleasant. Evette is seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
“For myself, I vaccinated my children after I did a whole lot of study on it, making sure that we were doing the right thing,” Evette told the Post and Courier. “Parents have to do what parents feel is best for their children. And I’ve been about that ever since I was in office, because I am a mom first and foremost.”
Jermaine Johnson
State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, released a video statement Feb. 10 about the ongoing outbreak.
“Good evening, South Carolina. As you may know, there is a current measles outbreak in parts of our state here in South Carolina. This is a reminder that public health is a shared responsibility. The measles vaccine has been used for decades safely with science-backed information. Now I’m calling on all the political leaders and community leaders across the state to join me in calling for a shared responsibility for all of us, because it is our responsibility, and in moments like this, leadership matters. So let’s make sure we are taking care of our neighbors, because as the Bible says, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ So join me in calling for individuals to be safe, protect their neighbors, protect their children and people with weakened immune systems.”
Josh Kimbrell
In a Jan. 15 Facebook Live post, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, whose home county has become the epicenter of the outbreak, spoke about the needs to balance the rights of parents who don’t want to give their child the measles vaccine and the need to protect public health. He reiterated he would not support any move to take away a religious exemption.
“I’m not going to force you. I’ve never said that I want to force a parent to make a decision that’s against their personal will, but there are going to have to be certain restrictions around decisions that are made publicly as a result. I also believe that we have to protect the broader public health,” Kimbrell said.
“We have to protect the rights of moms and dads who don’t want to have their kids vaccinated. We also have to protect the rights of moms and dads who don’t want their kids to go to school and get sick,” Kimbrell added in his 10-minute video.
Nancy Mace
Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s campaign released a statement on the outbreak and vaccination efforts.
“Health care decisions should remain between the doctor and the patient. South Carolina law provides religious and medical exemptions for a reason, and we support maintaining those protections,” said Piper Gifford, spokeswoman for Nancy Mace.
Mullins McLeod
The campaign for Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, released a comment on the measles outbreak and vaccination efforts.
“Measles is a public health issue. The role of government is to provide information to help parents make an informed decision. It is however, the parents’ decision to make,” McLeod said.
Ralph Norman
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman’s campaign told The State vaccination choices should be made by parents. Norman is seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
“Ralph believes that parents should make the decision on vaccinations in consultation with their doctor,” Norman campaign Spokeswoman Brittany Yanick. “The left tried to take away this right from us, but failed. Ralph will make sure they never succeed.”
Alan Wilson
Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, issued a statement on a state Senate bill to remove the religious exemption for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as one people can get use the religious exemption from taking the vaccine. The bill was proposed by state Sen. Margie Bright-Matthews, D-Colleton.
“This bill goes too far. Since 2020, we’ve seen a concerted push to curtail personal liberty in the name of health and safety. Eliminating religious exemptions and mandating medical decisions by force is not who we are as a state or country. The right to be free from compelled bodily intrusion is at the heart of the American experiment,” Wilson said. “Government should not substitute its judgment for parents, families, or individual conscience. Encouragement is not coercion. Personal freedom and parental rights must come first. As Attorney General, I will always stand for liberty, families and the Constitution.”
Wilson spokesman Robert Kittle told the Greenville News that schools can require students to have MMR vaccines, but parents should have the right to opt out for medical or religious reasons.
This story was originally published February 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
