Governor of South Carolina
South Carolina · Next election 2026State
About This Office
Governor of South Carolina — the state's chief executive, responsible for signing legislation into law, directing the executive branch, and serving as commander-in-chief of the state National Guard.
Term Length
4 years
Current Officeholders
Henry McMasterR
The 2026 Race
11 candidates filed for the 2026 Governor election in South Carolina. General election on Nov 3, 2026.
Primary
General
Total Raised
Candidates
Incumbent
Cash on Hand
—
Election History
| Year | Winner | Result | Runner-Up | Total Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Henry Mcmaster - Pamela Evette R | 29.0% | 3,404,036 | |
| 2018 | Henry Mcmaster R | 37.0% | 2,489,706 | |
| 2014 | Nikki Haley R | 55.9% | 1,245,367 | |
| 2010 | Nikki Haley R | 51.5% | 1,341,173 | |
| 2006 | Mark Sanford R | 55.2% | 1,090,944 | |
| 2002 | Mark Sanford R | 52.9% | 1,106,562 | |
| 1998 | Jim Hodges D | 53.3% | 1,069,052 | |
| 1994 | David Beasley R | 50.5% | 931,636 |
State
Population
5,296,225
Median HH Income
$69K
Unemployment
4.9%
Bachelor's+
32.1%
Veterans
8.3%
Median Age
40.2
Mean HH Income
$96K
Poverty Rate
14.1%
HS or Higher
90.1%
Median Home Value
$259K
Median Rent
$1,180/mo
Owner-Occupied
71.9%
Under 18 / 65+
21.4% / 18.9%