{"id":2650337,"date":"2026-08-27T07:14:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T11:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-poll-puts-south-carolina-governors-race-in-play-for-democrats\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T07:16:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T11:16:26","slug":"new-poll-puts-south-carolina-governors-race-in-play-for-democrats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-poll-puts-south-carolina-governors-race-in-play-for-democrats\/","title":{"rendered":"New poll puts South Carolina governor&#8217;s race in play for Democrats"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/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%2Fnew-poll-puts-south-carolina-governors-race-in-play-for-democrats%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=2650337&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>A recent poll indicates a potential shift in South Carolina&#8217;s governor\u2019s race between Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson and Democratic State Rep.Jermaine Johnson, both vying too succeed term-limited Governor Henry McMaster. The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates among 600 likely voters, shows Wilson and Johnson wiht relatively favorable approval ratings, though Johnson has a slight edge. When asked who thay would vote for in a head-to-head vote, Wilson led by 8 points but this lead narrowed to 2 points after respondents were provided detailed biographies of both candidates, revealing a close contest within the margin of error. Johnson&#8217;s background highlights his rise from poverty, a basketball scholarship, and subsequent academic achievements, while Wilson is noted for his military service and initiatives as attorney general. The polling data comes amid other electoral developments, including a deadlocked Senate race and a recent GOP primary runoff in South Carolina where Lindsey Graham\u2019s endorsed candidate, Graham Nordone, emerged victorious with Trump\u2019s backing.  <\/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\"><strong>EXCLUSIVE \u2014<\/strong> A new poll published Thursday signals a possible tightening of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\">South Carolina<\/a> governor\u2019s race between state Attorney General Alan Wilson, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\">Republican<\/a> nominee, and state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson and Johnson are <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-elections\/\">vying to replace<\/a> term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC).<\/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\/state\/4702087\/poll-south-carolina-governor-race-democrat-jermaine-johnson\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>New poll puts South Carolina governor\u2019s race in play for Democrat Jermaine Johnson<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4701812\/bobby-charles-supports-ice-presence-polling-sites-maine-election\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republican nominee for Maine governor supports ICE presence at midterm polls<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4698644\/rob-sand-kamala-harris-2028\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rob Sand says Kamala Harris shouldn\u2019t run for president in 2028<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates for the Johnson campaign between Aug. 12-15 among 600 likely South Carolina voters, gave both Wilson and Johnson relatively favorable approval ratings, though Johnson\u2019s margin was 6 points higher. On Wilson, 38% held positive views, compared to 25% negative, with 30% not recognizing his name. On the other hand, 36% of respondents viewed Johnson favorably, with just 17% negative and 42% not knowing his name.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked \u201cif the election were held today,\u201d 50% of respondents said they\u2019d vote for Wilson compared to 42% for Johnson. Wilson similarly led Johnson by 8 points in a July poll conducted by Public Policy Polling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in a bio-tested response, where respondents were again asked who they\u2019d vote for after being read detailed biographies on both candidates, Wilson\u2019s lead was shortened to 2 points, 48%-46%, and within the survey\u2019s margin of error.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Johnson\u2019s biography noted that he grew up in poverty but earned a college basketball scholarship to the College of Charleston before playing professionally. After retiring from basketball, the biography notes that he obtained a master\u2019s degree and a Ph.D. before launching a job placement nonprofit organization and eventually running for the state legislature. Wilson\u2019s biography notes that, following a decorated military career, he was elected as the youngest state attorney general in the country, where he has expanded the state\u2019s investigations of sexual crimes against children.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll comes just one day after a poll published by Impact Research found the South Carolina race for the U.S. Senate deadlocked at 41% apiece for Democratic nominee Annie Andrews and Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/darline-graham-nordone\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/darline-graham-nordone\">Darline Graham Nordone<\/a> (R-SC).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4701831\/south-carolina-senate-runoff-shows-2028-gop-primary-may-be-up-for-grabs\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4701831\/south-carolina-senate-runoff-shows-2028-gop-primary-may-be-up-for-grabs\/\">SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RUNOFF SHOWS 2028 GOP PRIMARY MAY BE UP FOR GRABS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham Nordone was the endorsed pick of President Donald Trump following the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, earlier this summer. She won her special election against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) on Tuesday night by 5 points after the president campaigned alongside her last Friday, held a tele-rally supporting her on Monday, and directed his outside political operation to spend nearly $1 million on robocalls in the final days of the race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson advanced to a runoff alongside Trump\u2019s original pick in the South Carolina governor\u2019s race, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The president later offered him a co-endorsement before Wilson\u2019s eventual runoff victory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EXCLUSIVE: South Carolina governor race tightens, poll shows<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2645,"featured_media":2650338,"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\/08\/image-collage-prynftt62-1787789806166-e1787790219971.jpg?1787775809&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33399,36464,39547,69563,41960],"class_list":["post-2650337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-2024-elections","tag-democratic-strategy","tag-governors-race","tag-political-polls","tag-south-carolina"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-collage-prynftt62-1787789806166-e1787790219971.jpg?1787775809&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2650337","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\/2645"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2650337"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2650337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2650341,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2650337\/revisions\/2650341"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2650338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2650337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2650337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2650337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}