{"id":2612916,"date":"2026-06-10T11:07:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T15:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-carolina-and-nevada-pick-nominees-for-2026-elections\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T11:07:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T15:07:43","slug":"south-carolina-and-nevada-pick-nominees-for-2026-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-carolina-and-nevada-pick-nominees-for-2026-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"South Carolina and Nevada pick nominees for 2026 elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsouth-carolina-and-nevada-pick-nominees-for-2026-elections%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2612916&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Tuesday marked a major stage in the 2026 election cycle, with <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >multiple states holding key gubernatorial<\/a> and congressional primaries (and in some cases advancing open runoffs).<\/p>\n<p>In **South Carolina**, the GOP gubernatorial primary went to a runoff after no candidate cleared the needed margin. **Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette** will face **AG Alan Wilson** on June 23. In the **Democratic** gubernatorial contest,voters selected **Jermaine Johnson**,a former professional basketball player,to challenge the GOP nominee in November. The **SC-1** House race also drew attention after Rep. **Nancy Mace** opted to run for governor instead of reelection, setting up a contested open-seat primary.On the Democratic side, **retired Navy Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore** and **mac Deford** advanced, with Lacore building her campaign around a claim that she was removed from her post without cause. The Republican side of SC-1 will also go to a runoff.<\/p>\n<p>In **Nevada**, Democrats and Republicans both chose gubernatorial nominees. **Attorney General Aaron Ford** won the Democratic nomination, supported by former VP **Kamala Harris**, while **Gov. Joe Lombardo** prevailed for the GOP. Nevada\u2019s **2nd Congressional District** primary boosted a **Trump-endorsed** candidate: **retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo** led with **James Settelmeyer** trailing, in a race made more competitive by the retirement of Rep.**Mark Amodei**.<\/p>\n<p>In **California**, results from the state\u2019s open gubernatorial jungle primary showed **Democrat Xavier Becerra** and **Republican Steve hilton** projected as the top two finishers. Becerra led with just under 28% and Hilton had about 25%, setting the stage for the party-specific contest. A separate House primary also concluded: in **CA-22**, **Democratic progressive Randy Villegas** was projected to win the Democratic nomination, a result that party strategists had hoped to avoid in order to elevate a more centrist opponent.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside these contests, the article emphasizes how several races remain fluid-either headed to runoffs or shaped by high-stakes ideological and party-alignment battles.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Major races across the country were called on Tuesday, as the<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\"> 2026 elections<\/a> move into full swing. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From South Carolina to Nevada, voters picked candidates for governor and the House, though some races remain undecided and are headed to runoffs. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590364\/california-6th-congressional-district-primary-results-kevin-kiley\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California 6th Congressional District primary result: Kevin Kiley will face Democrat Richard Pan<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4602158\/voters-gave-platner-chance-ro-khanna\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Voters gave Platner a \u2018chance at redemption\u2019: Ro Khanna<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4601632\/jared-golden-toll-representing-toss-up-seat\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jared Golden warns of the toll required to represent a toss-up seat<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 id=\"h-south-carolina\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">South Carolina<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"524\">South Carolina<\/a>, the Republican gubernatorial primary is headed to a runoff on June 23, after a crowded field left no candidate with a sufficient margin of victory on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GOP runoff election will feature the top two finishers, state Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> endorsed, and state Attorney General Alan Wilson. Evette secured nearly 29% of the vote, while Wilson took 26.1%. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nancy-mace\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2548\">Nancy Mace<\/a> (R-SC) failed to advance in the primary battle to succeed outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) in the solidly red state, finishing with 17% and 12% of the vote. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Democratic side, voters chose a former professional basketball player to face the Republican nominee for governor in November. Jermaine Johnson represented a district in the Columbia area for three terms and handily defeated Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod and Greenville businessman Billy Webster. Johnson faces a tough path to victory this fall, as Democrats have not won a gubernatorial general election in South Carolina in nearly three decades. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette arrives to speak at an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-election-night-watch-party-in-michigan-canceled-due-to-alleged-threat-of-violence\/\" title=\"... ... Night Watch Party In Michigan Canceled Due To Alleged Threat Of Violence\">election night watch party<\/a> after advancing to a GOP primary runoff in the governor\u2019s race on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Greenville. (Meg Kinnard\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another race that has gained attention is the state\u2019s 1st Congressional District, which Mace represents. The incumbent lawmaker opted out of running for reelection this cycle, instead running for governor and setting the district up for a heated battle to succeed her.\u00a0With no incumbent on the ballot, 11 Republican candidates and seven Democratic candidates lined up to capture their party\u2019s primary nominations in the Lowcountry district.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Democratic side, two candidates advanced to a runoff on Tuesday. Retired Navy Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore received 36.5% of the votes, and Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford took away 28.9%.\u00a0Lacore has said she was fired by Secretary of War <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1991\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> without cause, making the story central to her campaign. She is now seeking to become just the second Democrat to hold the seat in over 40 years, after Republicans won the last election by 58.2% to 41.6%. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter 35 years in the Navy, Pete Hegseth removed Admiral Nancy Lacore from her post with no explanation,\u201d Lacore wrote <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Nancylacore\/posts\/-urgent-message-after-35-years-in-the-navy-pete-hegseth-removed-admiral-nancy-la\/122124379197228164\/\">in a post<\/a> to Facebook. \u201cNow, she\u2019s running for Congress to flip SC-01 blue \u2014 and her primary is on June 9th.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Republican side is also headed to a runoff on June 23. Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt received 22.1% of the votes in the Tuesday primary, and state Rep. Mark Smith secured 18%.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a sprint to the finish,\u201d Honeycutt <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/7b5zjlrNz-M\">told reporters<\/a> Tuesday evening. \u201cI am Lowcountry first. We are here to serve the Lowcountry. Folks love that message. That\u2019s what resonated and got us to the first spot tonight. And that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to take the next two weeks. \u201c<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-nevada\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nevada<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nevada\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"736\">Nevada<\/a> is home to one of the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-passaic-county-voters-hope-for-a-change-in-new-jersey\/\" title=\"... Passaic County ... hope for a change in New Jersey\">closely watched gubernatorial races<\/a> in the nation. The state is deeply competitive, with Democrats eyeing Democratic state Attorney General Aaron Ford as their best bet to oust Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Tuesday, both men won their party\u2019s respective nominations. Roughly 165,000 votes were cast in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, while over 170,500 were cast in the Republican race, according to the<em> New York Times<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ford is backed by former Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"748\">Kamala Harris<\/a> and handily beat Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill. The attorney general has sought to center the race on affordability, accusing Lombardo of not doing enough to bring down the cost of living for residents while sitting in the governor\u2019s mansion.\u00a0Lombardo has pushed back, saying that since he became governor, \u201cInflation has come down, wages are rising, housing prices are stabilizing, and Nevada leads the nation in post-pandemic job creation, as well as both small business and wage growth.\u201d <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford, attorney general of Nevada, right, cheers alongside wife Berna Rhodes-Ford and son Alexander during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-race-tightens-in-north-carolina-as-democrat-beasley-closes-on-budd\/\" title=\"Senate ... Tightens in North Carolina as ... Beasley Closes on Budd\">primary election night watch party<\/a> after winning the Democratic nomination Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Jae C. Hong\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nevada\u2019s 2nd Congressional District also held a primary election on Tuesday, handing a Trump-endorsed candidate a boost. As of early Wednesday, retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo holds a lead with 45.7% of the vote. Former Nevada Senate Minority Leader James Settelmeyer sits at 35.3% with an estimated 83% of votes counted, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/projects\/elections-2026\/nevada-primary-results-us-house\/#2\">according to <\/a>the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president backed Flippo against Settelmeyer, who is endorsed by Lombardo, in the GOP primary. The endorsement likely carried great weight, as Trump carried the district by around 14 percentage points in 2024. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The seat is vacant after Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) announced plans to retire, triggering a heated contest for the state\u2019s only Republican-held congressional district. The district includes Reno and Carson City. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-california\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">California<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a>, the results of the state\u2019s open gubernatorial primary were also revealed on Tuesday, one week after the election was held. Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra<\/a> have been projected as the top two vote finishers in the state\u2019s jungle primary. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra received nearly 28% of the vote, and Hilton received 25%, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/projects\/elections-2026\/california-primary-results-governor\/\">according to<\/a> the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tom-steyer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2792\">Tom Steyer<\/a> came in third place with 22.5%. Hilton is aiming to become the first Republican since 2006 to flip the governor\u2019s mansion red.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn the weeks ahead, we will lay out my plan in detail to make our state Califordable \u2013 particularly for workers and small businesses,\u201d the Republican candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbclosangeles.com\/news\/local\/steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-california-governor-election\/3899105\/\">told<\/a> NBC News. \u201cWe will draw a powerful contrast with Xavier Becerra, who represents more of the same cost, incompetence, and corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton stands with his supporters during a campaign event on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Norwalk. (Benjamin Hanson\/AP Photos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results of a second House primary race were also revealed on Tuesday, a week after voters in California\u2019s 22nd Congressional District in Bakersfield went to the polls. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Progressive Randy Villegas was projected as the winner of the 22nd district\u2019s Democratic primary. But his victory was viewed as a loss for party establishment leaders <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dccc.org\/dr-jasmeet-bains-added-to-dcccs-coveted-red-to-blue-program\/\">hoping to pit<\/a> a more centrist candidate against Rep. David Valadao (R-CA). <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4593203\/thune-copycat-candidate-dan-sullivan-senate-race\/\"><strong>THUNE CALLS OUT \u2018BIZARRE\u2019 COPYCAT CANDIDATE IN DAN SULLIVAN SENATE RACE: \u2018DESIGNED TO CONFUSE\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Valadao took 40.7% of the vote; Villegas secured 32.2%. Democrat Jasmeet Bains, the party establishment\u2019s pick, is out of the race after coming in third, taking 27.2% of the ballots. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat you\u2019re seeing play out in our race and in races all across the country is truly this fight for the soul of the Democratic Party and who we want to be as Democrats,\u201d Villegas <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2026\/06\/10\/randy-villegas-secures-spot-run-off-key-california-house-race\/\">told<\/a> the <em>Washington Post<\/em>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major races kicked off Tuesday as 2026 elections gathered pace, with some contests still headed to runoffs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2612917,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26161072213272.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[42974,5592,41960],"class_list":["post-2612916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-2026-elections","tag-nevada","tag-south-carolina"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26161072213272.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2612916"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2612920,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612916\/revisions\/2612920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2612917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2612916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2612916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2612916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}