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      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/2026/Governor/South Carolina
      2026 ForecastSafe R
      2026·Governor·South Carolina

      South Carolina Governor

      Open Seat

      Henry McMaster (R) retiring

      Race Analysis

      Analysis coming soon.

      Updated 2026-02-18

      Candidates & Primaries

      Democratic Candidates

      TBDDRumored

      No major Dem challenger expected

      Republican Candidates

      TBDRDeclared

      McMaster term-limited; GOP primary ongoing

      State Demographics

      South Carolina vs. National · Pop. 5.3M

      White (non-Hispanic)61.9%
      National: 57.4%
      Black24.8%
      National: 12.2%
      Hispanic/Latino7.4%
      National: 19.3%
      Asian1.8%
      National: 6.0%
      College Degree32.1%
      National: 35.6%
      Median Income$70,153
      National: $83,960
      Median Age40.5
      National: 39.1

      Seat History

      Governor in South Carolina

      2022
      Henry McMasterREP
      R+17.4
      2018
      Henry McMasterREP
      R+8.0
      2014
      Nikki HaleyREP
      R+14.5
      2010
      Nikki HaleyREP
      R+4.5
      2006
      Marshall Clement Jr. SanfordREP
      R+10.3
      2002
      Marshall Clement Jr. SanfordREP
      R+5.8
      1998
      James H HodgesDEM
      D+8.0
      1994
      David BeasleyREP
      R+2.5
      1990
      Carroll A CampbellREP
      R+41.6
      1986
      Carroll A CampbellREP
      R+3.1
      1982
      Richard W RileyDEM
      D+39.6
      1978
      Richard W RileyDEM
      D+23.6
      1974
      James B EdwardsREP
      R+3.3
      1970
      John C. WestDEM
      D+5.9
      1966
      Robert E. McNairDEM
      D+16.3
      View all Governor history for South Carolina →

      Also in South Carolina, 2026

      U.S. Senate
      Safe R      ← 2026 Forecast Overview
      ← 2026 Forecast OverviewSouth Carolina profileAll elections