Joseph Bustos

A Democrat has not won statewide since 2006. A Democrat has not won the governor’s office or a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina since 1998.

Attorney General Alan Wilson is the 2026 Republican nominee for South Carolina governor. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace finished fifth in the primary and endorsed Wilson.

Despite budget writers leaving $377 million unallocated from a more than $15 billion budget, state Rep. Bruce Bannister and State Sen. Harvey Peeler continued negotiating on community investment projects.

South Carolina state government has been operating under a continuing resolution since July 1 as lawmakers tried to hammer out a spending plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Johnson is running against Republican nominee Attorney General Alan Wilson. Wilson has named state Sen. Mike Reichenbach as his running mate.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities was created in 2025 and merged agencies overseeing developmental disabilities, mental health and substance abuse.

Pay raises for state employees and teachers, along with hundreds of millions of lawmaker earmarks have been proposed in the state budget.

The Agency Head Salary Commission also approved raises for 12 agency leaders and pay for three people new to their positions.

Khanna has made several visits to South Carolina, an early presidential primary state, in recent years fueling speculation he’s preparing a White House run.

Gov. Henry McMaster has been an opponent of expanding gambling in South Carolina during his tenure, but his term ends in January and the next governor may have a different stance.