SC 2026 primary results: Runoff in GOP governor’s race, plus November races set

11:30 pm: The race for the Republican nomination for state agriculture commissioner was a virtual dead heat with 91 percent of the counties reporting, according to the state Election Commission. Cody Simpson led Danny Ford, the son of the former Clemson football coach, 38.1 percent to 37 percent.

11:24 p.m: Jason Belton and Edwina Winter remained locked in a tight race for the Democratic nomination for S.C. Secretary of State. With 83 percent of the votes counted, Belton had 50.4 percent of the vote. The winner faces incumbent Republican Mark Hammond, who was unopposed for the GOP nomination.

11:15 p.m. Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Mark Smith will face each other in a runoff for the GOP nomination in the Lowcountry’s first congressional district. Honeycutt had 22 percent of the vote to Smith’s 18 percent in the crowded field. The seat has been held by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who ran for governor.

11:12 p.m. Eunice Lehmacher edged Ernest Mackins for the Democratic nomination in the third congressional district. Lehmacher will face incumbent Republican Rep. Sheri Biggs in November for the Anderson-area seat.

11:08 pm.: U.S. Rep. William Timmons was the projected winner in the Republican primary, easily outdistancing a field of challengers for the Greenville area congressional seat. He will face Democrat Courtney McClain in Novmber.

11:03 pm: Mallory Dittmer was the projected winner in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill. Dittmer had more than 55 percent of the vote with 86 percent counted, the Associated Press said. Dittmer will face Republican Wes Climer, who was unopposed, in November. Climer is a state senator.

10:37 pm: Vincent Coe held a comfortable lead over Trav Robertson in the Democratic race for state Treasurer. Coe led 55.9 to 44.8 percent with nearly 80 percent of the counties reporting, the state Election Commission reported.

10:18 p.m. Jenny Costa Honeycutt continued to lead a crowded field for the Republican nomination to succeed U.S. Rep. Nancy Macy in the Charleston area’s first congressional district. Honeycutt had about 23 percent of the vote with 73 percent of the ballots counted, the Associated Press reported. Running second was Mark Smith with 18.5 percent. Sam McCown had just under 17 percent, with former Gov. Mark Sanford and Alex Pelbath bringing in under 13 percent.

10:09 pm: Tiffany Boozer held a large lead over Bruce Cole in the Democratic race for S.C. Comptroller General. Boozer had 74 percent of the vote with 56 percent of the counties reporting, according to the state Election Commission.

10:06 pm: With Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson in a runoff for the Republican nomination for governor, the other candidates were left to consider their political futures. After nearly three-quarters of the votes were cast, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman was headed to a third place finish with 17 percent of the vote. Isle of Palms businessman Rom Reddy held less than 15 percent of the vote, while U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace trailed the field at under 12 percent.

9:43 pm: Cody Simpson held a slight lead over Danny Ford in the Republican race for state agriculture commissioner with about 50 percent of the counties reporting. Simpson had 38.2 percent of the vote to Ford’s 37.3 percent. Ford is the son of former Clemson football coach Danny Ford. Jeremy Cannon and Fred West trailed the field.

9:41 pm: Sylvia Wright held a substantial lead over Lisa Ellis in the race for the Democratic nomination for state education superintendent. Wright had more than 61 percent of the vote with nearly half the ballots counted.

9:35 p.m. State. Sen. Stephen Goldfinch and local prosecutor David Stumbo are headed to a runoff in the race for the GOP nomination for S.C. attorney general. Goldfinch led 41.4 percent to 34.9 percent with 69 percent of the votes counted, according to the Associated Press.

9:28 pm: Nancy Lacore and Mac Deford are headed to a runoff in the Democratic race for the first congressional seat, which has been held by Republican Nancy Mace, who did not seek re-election. Lacore led 36 percent to 29 percent with 66 percent of the votes counted, according to the Associated Press. The seat represents much of the Charleston area and the Lowcountry.

9:14 pm: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson are headed for a runoff in the race for the Republican nomination for governor. Wilson posted on his Facebook page that he was ready for a runoff with Evette. The Associated Press called the runoff, with 62 percent of the votes counted and Evette leading 29 percent to 26 percent.

9:10 pm: President Donald Trump called Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to say he would do whatever it takes to help her win a runoff in the Republican race for governor.

9:04 pm. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman said he came up short in his bid for governor, trailing behind Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson for the GOP nomination. “Looks like we’ve come up a little bit short … The odds of this working out may not work out.” [8:04 PM] Says he’ll likely finish third - “We left it all on the field.”

9:00 pm. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was the projected winner of the Republican primary in his bid for reelection, overpowering a field of opponents. The Associated Press called the race with half the votes counted and Graham securing about 59 percent of the vote. Graham faces Annie Andrews in November.

8:55 pm. Lowcountry pediatrician Annie Andrews secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, the AP projected just after 8:30 p.m. With half the votes counted, she won 61%, according to unofficial AP results.

8:55 pm. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette continued to lead Attorney General Alan Wilson in the race to replace Henry McMaster as governor.

8:47 pm. S.C. State Rep. Jermaine Johnson was the projected winner of the Democratic primary for governor. The Associated Press called the race with just over half the ballots counted and Johnson leading Billy Webster by a sizable margin. Johnson had garnered 58 percent of the vote to Webster’s 31 percent. Mullins McLeod trailed with 10 percent.

8:37 pm: U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., was the projected winner in his race for reelection in the second district, according to the Associated Press. Wilson had taken 74 percent of the vote with 35 percent of the ballots counted in the GOP primary. His district represents parts of the Lexington-Columbia area and central South Carolina.

8:30 pm: The race to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in South Carolina’s first congressional district was close with more than one third to nearly half of the ballots counted. In the Republican primary with 34 percent in, Jenny Costa Honeycutt narrowly led Mark Smith, 21.4 percent to 20.4 percent, with other candidates trailing. In the Democratic primary, the race appeared to be between Nancy Lacore and Mac Deford with 45 percent of the votes counted. Lacore led 36 percent to 32 percent.

8:20 pm. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was crushing his opponents in the Republican primary for Senate. Graham had garnered 59 percent of the ballots cast, with about 30 percent of the votes counted. Opponent Mark Lynch was a distant second with 26.9 percent. The other candidates had less than 5 percent each, the AP reported.

8:15 pm: S.C. State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch led the Republican primary for Attorney General with 23 percent of the ballots in. Goldfinch had 43 percent of the vote, ahead of local prosecutors David Stumbo with 32 percent and David Pasco at 24 percent, the AP reported.

8:08 pm: While early voting saw a record 330,500 strong turnout and long lines in South Carolina’s 2026 primary election, not every voter ran to the polls.

Columbia attorney Jay Elliot, 77, who cut it close at 6:48 p.m. but after waiting “about 37 seconds” in line at Sims Park in Shandon, was able to cast his ballot after making sure he did his research about the candidates.

“I’m usually pretty informed,” Elliot said. “I didn’t inform myself adequately enough.”

Fellow Columbia resident James Scheinder wasn’t so lucky. He arrived just after the 7 p.m. poll closing time and was denied entry.

“I just ran out of time today,” Schneider said. “I came straight from work, grabbed a shower and came here.”

Schneider said if runoff elections end up being held on June 23, he’ll make sure to cast a ballot.

“I’m already registered,” Schneider said. “If it’s two weeks, then I’ll come.”

8:05 pm. The New York Times and the Associated Press declared incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn the winner in the 6th Congressional District Democratic primary with an estimated 15% of the votes cast, the media outlets reported.

8:00 pm: With more than 29 percent of the ballots counted, S.C. Rep. Jermaine Johnson led the Democratic field for governor with more than 58 percent of the votes to Billy Webster’s 31.5 percent and lawyer Mullins McLeod at 10 percent, according to the Associated Press.

7:56 pm: With 14 percent of the ballots counted in the Republican governor’s race, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette was leading Attorney General Alan Wilson 28 percent to 24.5 percent. Isle of Palms businessman Rom Reddy was third with 17.5 percent, according to the Associated Press. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman had 17.1 percent, with U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace trailing.

7:50 pm: Enthusiastic supporters were at St. John Baptist Church in Hopkins awaiting the arrival of Democratic candidate for governor Jermaine Johnson. Children played in the church where the Johnson watch party was being held, filled with families and supporters decked out in campaign gear. Some attendees danced to “The Electric Boogie” and “I Want to Dance with Somebody.”

7:40 p.m.: U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman’s backers were gathering at the Magnolia Room in Rock Hill as polls closed in his bid for the Republican nomination for governor. Multiple TVs set up among red, white and blue decor were tuned to national and local news coverage, and a mix of patriotic and country tunes played on the sound system.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s campaign for governor was having a gathering at United Community on the fourth floor overlooking Greenville. President Donald Trump has endorsed Evette. Evette’s campaign was receiving national attention Tuesday evening, with reporters from the New York Times and Newsmax in attendance.

Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is also seeking the Republican nomination for governor, had dozens of supporters arrive at Market on Main in downtown Columbia as polls closed. Many sported “I Voted” or “Wilson-Reichenbach” stickers.

7 p.m.: The polls for this year’s primary elections are now closed and votes are being counted to determine which Democratic and Republican candidates will advance to the general election in November. Supporters of candidates were beginning to trickle into locations where those seeking office were gathering to watch election returns.

South Carolina voters helped determine their next governor, U.S. senator or state House representative on primary election day Tuesday.

Winners of the primary June 9 will compete in the November general election. If no candidate receives a majority of votes Tuesday, the top two will compete in a runoff June 23.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Anyone in line when polls close can still vote.

Here are some of the key races to watch the results come in for Tuesday night. All results are unofficial. Check back throughout the night for the latest updates.

Voters winnow field SC governor’s race

Both the Democratic and Republican races for South Carolina’s open governor seat have been competitive this year.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy and Attorney General Alan Wilson are competing for the Republican nomination for governor.

Jacqueline Hicks DuBose, of Hartsville, was decertified before the primary though her name will still appear on the ballot. State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, also filed to run and will be on the ballot Tuesday, but he informally suspended his campaign last week.

Democratic voters can cast their ballot for state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod or businessman Billy Webster.

After today’s voting, there will be between two and four candidates still in the race.

Other state officials: attorney general, commissioner of agriculture

Wilson, a four-term South Carolina attorney general, is running for governor, leaving the seat open and competitive. State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Georgetown, 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe and 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo are vying for the Republican nomination.

The commissioner of agriculture is also wide open after Hugh Weather announced he would not run for reelection. Four Republicans are running to succeed him: Jeremy Cannon, Danny Ford, Cody Simpson and Fred West. Simpson was endorsed by President Donald Trump earlier this year.

Republican state superintendent Ellen Weaver is running for another term. Lisa Ellis and Sylvia Wright, two veteran educators, are competing for the Democratic nomination.

Vincent Coe and Trav Robertson are running for the Democratic nomination to unseat Treasurer Curtis Loftis. No Republican filed to run against Loftis.

Two Democratic candidates are running for Secretary of State: Jason Belton and Edwina Winter. Current Secretary of State Mark Hammond will compete against the winner in November.

Tiffany Boozer and Bruce Coe will compete for the Democratic nomination for Comptroller General. The winner will run against Republican Mike Burkhold.

Can anyone beat Lindsey Graham in U.S. Senate?

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is running for a fifth term. He faces a crowded Republican primary, including:

• Calvin Cowen of Spartanburg
• Thomas Dismukes, a York County motivational speaker
• Patrick Herrmann, a Horry County business owner
• Mark Lynch, an Upstate businessman
• Darius Mitchell, a Columbia social media influencer

Lowcountry pediatrician Annie Andrews, Upstate businessman Brandon Brown and Columbia logistics professional Kyle Freeman are competing for the Democratic nomination.

U.S. Senate candidate Annie Andrews addressed more than two dozen supporters at a brewery in Columbia before heading to her election night watch party in Greenville. State Rep. Heather Bauer and Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine also spoke in support of Andrews campaign.

In an interview, Andrews said she would quit her job as a pediatrician at the end of June to campaign full time.

“I’m exhausted, but the days that I do still get to go work in the hospital, it reminds me of why I’m doing this,” Andrews said.

Several attendees said they believed Andrews could help improve affordability, an important factor in their support for a U.S. Senate candidate. A banner reading “gas, grits, groceries” hung behind Andrews as she spoke Tuesday afternoon.

“We have never been big fans of Lindsey Graham, and we’ve been looking for a change,” said Ben Aplin, who voted in Richland County early.

U.S. House of Representatives

Every U.S. House representative is up for reelection this year, though Mace and Norman are not seeking reelection.

18 candidates filed to run as a Republican or Democrat for Mace’s Lowcountry U.S. House seat. Former Gov. Mark Sanford appeared on the ballot, though he informally ended his campaign.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, has two Republican challengers: Sam Gibbons and Hamp Redmond.

Zyon Khalifa, Roger Pruitt, David Robinson and Daniel Shrief are running as Democratic candidates for the 2nd congressional district.

Longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state’s only Democratic member in Congress, will compete against Frederick Goodwin on Tuesday. John Peterson and Maurice Washington are running for the Republican nomination for the 6th congressional district.

All 124 State House seats are on November ballot

Every member of the South Carolina House is up for reelection, but many do not have a primary challenger.

Democratic candidates are running in every state House race this year.

Two House seats representing Richland and Lexington counties do not have an incumbent. District 52, currently represented by gubernatorial candidate Johnson, has three Democratic candidates: Lawrence Moore, Patrick Tate and Malcolm Taylor.

State Rep. Ryan McCabe, R-Lexington, is also not seeking reelection. Three Republican candidates filed to replace him: Perry Finch, Hunter Hackett and Scotty Whetstone.

Early voting set records

More than 330,500 South Carolinians, or just less than 10% of registered voters, cast a ballot early or absentee before Tuesday’s election day. Early voting broke primary records with year, with tens of thousands of people heading to the polls daily.

McClatchy reporters Joe Bustos, Lucy Valeski, Olivia Sisson and Mary Ramsey contributed to this report.

This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM.