Two things happened simultaneously for South Carolina campaign professionals at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. First, polls closed in the 2024 elections. And second, a relentless countdown clock started ticking down the minutes until polls will close again in a new set of statewide races on Nov. 3, 2026.
In a series of interviews this week, political and party leaders across the Palmetto State made it clear they were already finished celebrating or lamenting this year’s returns and now focused on the task ahead.
“It was a good election day with a lot to be happy about,” S.C. GOP Chairman Drew McKissick said of the party’s historic victories last month before turning to the future. “But the election showed more vulnerabilities for Democrats around the state that we’ll be coming back for in 2026.”
With GOP supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature and a Republican lock on statewide elected offices stretching back to 2010, McKissick said this year’s results showed the party still has room to grow at the local level.
“We picked up four sheriff’s seats, a probate judge, four clerks of court, three county coroners, one auditor, one solicitor, three county treasurers and 13 county council seats,” McKissick said. “In rural counties around the state, places where Republicans have never won before, we’re winning and have Democrats switching parties. … We’re looking at the opportunities we have to expand our coalition in those counties and districts.”
But Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman Sam Skardon argues that local Democrats have recent history on their side heading into 2026.
“Expect the [incoming] Trump administration to be extremely, unpopularly conservative just like it was in 2018, which was our best election cycle in a decade and a half,” Skardon told the City Paper on Dec. 2. “2026 has the potential to be the exact same dynamic.”
What’s more, he said, the lack of a presidential election at the top of the ticket will help local Democrats separate themselves from the larger pack of candidates.
“In midterms, with no presidential race dominating the narrative, we see a lot more variance between each individual race based on candidate quality, voter outreach, volunteer operations and fundraising,” Skardon said. “All those things just matter more in a non-presidential year.”
But even with increasingly intense party competition at the local level, most eyes remain fixed on 2026’s biggest prizes: a wide-open governor’s race to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster as well as a possible GOP challenge to Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and a slew of likely open constitutional offices, including state treasurer, comptroller general and attorney general.
Republican names to watch in 2026
With unchallenged power at the state level for the better part of a generation, Republicans say they have strong candidates ready to run for every open seat. Here are some of the names they mentioned most often in background conversations with the City Paper.
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette: A political newcomer when McMaster selected her as his running mate in 2019, the former business executive from Travelers Rest is seen as a likely, but longshot, candidate for governor.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace: Observers agree the fiery 1st District congresswoman will run statewide in 2026 but they’re not sure for which office — with some suggesting her eyes are on the governor’s mansion, and others saying that Graham’s Senate seat would be a better fit for her national aspirations.
Adam Morgan: After losing earlier this year in his primary challenge to 4th District U.S. Rep. William Timmons, the former S.C. House member and Freedom Caucus chair is seen as a possible contender in several statewide contests, including governor and attorney general.
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott: Though once considered a serious potential candidate for governor, most believe the popular North Charleston native took himself out of the race when he sought and won chairmanship of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in November.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman: Representing the Upstate’s 5th District since 2017, the wealthy real-estate developer who’s perhaps best known for demanding the imposition of “marshall” law in the wake of the 2020 presidential election is said to be eying a run for governor.
S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson: Currently in his fourth term as the state’s top lawyer, the former Lexington assistant solicitor and military veteran is said to be a virtual certainty in the governor’s race — and the probable front-runner on the day he announces.
And on the Democratic side
With Republicans riding high, Democrats acknowledge candidate recruitment will be their greatest challenge in 2026. Nevertheless — and in some cases, they admit, with as much hope as certainty — sources close to the party say the following names belong in the conversation.
Marlon Kimpson: Currently a Biden administration trade appointee, the former state senator from Charleston is near the top of many Democrats’ candidate wish lists, with one prominent party official telling the City Paper “he’s a name you just can’t leave out.”
Bakari Sellers: With a resume that includes four terms in the S.C. House, a credible run for lieutenant governor in 2014 and a high-profile national role as a CNN contributor, the Bamberg native and son of the legendary civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers is described as a “charismatic” gubernatorial option by hopeful Palmetto State Democrats.
Steve Benjamin: Along with former sSellers and Kimpson), the two-term Columbia mayor and current Biden White House official is described by Democrats as a “superstar” who could put together a credible gubernatorial campaign quickly.
State Rep. Jermaine Johnson: With a notably busy public schedule of appearances around the state, political insiders say the third-term S.C. House member from Richland County will likely make a statewide run in 2026 — but with so many open offices, opinions vary on which one he’s inclined to seek.
Ivory Thigpen: A former S.C. House member from 2017 through 2024, the Rehoboth Baptist Church senior pastor is said to be considering a statewide run after giving up his House seat this year in a failed primary bid to succeed retiring state Sen. Mia McLeod.
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