Spartanburg Herald Journal · Bella Carpentier · September 2, 2026
* Attorney General Alan Wilson and State Rep. Jermaine Johnson will participate in a televised debate on October 6.
* The candidates share some platform similarities, such as lowering living costs, but differ on abortion and school choice.
* No non-partisan public polling has been conducted, but Wilson holds an advantage in the Republican-leaning state.
* The general election is on November 3, with an early voting period from October 19 through October 31.
Attorney General Alan Wilson and State. Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, are set to appear for a televised debate one month before the November general election.
South Carolina will have a new person in the governor's mansion in January 2027. Gov. Henry McMaster will have served 10 years in office by the time his final term expires.
Gray Media-owned television stations in South Carolina will broadcast a debate between Wilson and Johnson on Oct. 6. Gray Media owns several South Carolina stations, including FOX Carolina the Upstate. The debate will be hosted at WIS studios in Columbia, and it will air from 7-8 p.m.
The broadcast will be the first time the candidates from each political party will stand side by side for a debate. Each come from different political backgrounds, but they have a handful of platform similarities including lowering the cost of living and improving infrastructure.
They differ on the topic of abortion, with Wilson supporting abortion restrictions and Johnson supporting reproductive healthcare. Both candidates support investing in the state's public education system, while Wilson's campaign focuses on expanding school choice.
No public polling without a partisan sponsor has been conducted on the gubernatorial general election, so it is unclear what an election between the two candidates may look like. Wilson has an advantage leading into the race since South Carolina has a large Republican electorate.
About 473,000 people voted in the Republican gubernatorial primary, while 372,000 people voted in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Election day is Nov. 3, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The early voting period will be from Oct. 19 through Oct. 31, and polls will be open on Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration to vote in-person in the general election is Oct. 2 at 5 p.m.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com