The 2018 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the Governor of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican Governor Henry McMaster, who took office after Nikki Haley resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, ran for election to a full term. The primary was held on June 12, with the Democrats nominating State Representative James E. Smith Jr. McMaster failed to win a majority of the vote, and then defeated John Warren in the Republican runoff on June 26. In the general election, McMaster defeated Smith, winning election to a full term.[1]
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McMaster: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Smith: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Republicans won a fifth straight election, their longest such streak in history.
Republican primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Henry McMaster, incumbent governor[2][3]
- Running mate: Pamela Evette, businesswoman[4]
Defeated in runoff
editDefeated in primary
edit- Kevin Bryant, incumbent Lieutenant Governor[8]
- Yancey McGill, former Democratic lieutenant governor and former Democratic state senator[9][2]
- Catherine Templeton, attorney, former director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control and former director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation[10]
- Running mate: Walt Wilkins, Greenville County Solicitor[11]
Declined
edit- Tom Davis, state senator[12]
- Jeff Duncan, U.S. Representative[13][14]
- Mikee Johnson, businessman and former chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (endorsed Catherine Templeton)[15]
- Tim Scott, U.S. Senator[16][17][18]
- Joe Taylor, former South Carolina Secretary of Commerce[19][20]
- Billy Wilkins, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit[2][21][22]
- Alan Wilson, attorney general (running for re-election)[13][2][23]
Endorsements
editCatherine Templeton
- State figures
- Ralph Norman, member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina.[24]
- Wes Climer, state senator[24]
- Bobby Harrell, former Speaker of South Carolina House of Representatives[25]
- Organizations
John Warren
- State figures
- Ralph Norman, member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina.[27]
- Knox H. White, Mayor of Greenville[28]
- Pat McKinney, former chairman of the State Ports Authority, later chosen as Warren's running mate [29]
- Elise Bidwell, member of South Carolina Educational Television Commission
- Phil Robertson, star of Duck Dynasty[30]
- Catherine Templeton, businesswoman and defeated candidate in gubernatorial Republican primary
- Kevin L. Bryant, 91st Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina and defeated candidate in gubernatorial Republican Primary[31]
- Tom Davis, state senator [32]
First round
editPolling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Henry McMaster | Kevin Bryant | Yancey McGill | Catherine Templeton | John Warren | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fabrizio, Lee and Associates (R-Warren) | May 29–31, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 33% | 5% | 2% | 17% | 19% | – | 24% |
Target-Insyght | May 29–31, 2018 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 37% | 4% | 3% | 25% | 20% | – | 11% |
Target-Insyght | April 3–5, 2018 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 46% | 6% | 4% | 22% | 1% | – | 22% |
TargetPoint/GQR | March 10–17, 2018 | 397 | – | 41% | 5% | 3% | 10% | 2% | – | 35% |
The Trafalgar Group (R) | November 29 – December 30, 2017 | 2,223 | ± 2.1% | 40% | 11% | 3% | 8% | – | 10% | 28% |
Mason-Dixon | December 6–10, 2017 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 51% | 8% | 1% | 21% | – | – | 19% |
South Carolina Public Affairs | October 10–11, 2017 | 633 | ± 4.0% | 33% | 5% | 5% | 7% | – | – | 50% |
Results
editMcMaster
- McMaster—60–70%
- McMaster—50–60%
- McMaster—40–50%
- McMaster—30–40%
Warren
- Warren—30–40%
- Warren—40–50%
Templeton
- Templeton—40–50%
McGill
- McGill—40–50%
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Henry McMaster (incumbent) | 155,723 | 42.32% | |
Republican | John Warren | 102,390 | 27.82% | |
Republican | Catherine Templeton | 78,705 | 21.39% | |
Republican | Kevin Bryant | 24,790 | 6.74% | |
Republican | Yancey McGill | 6,375 | 1.73% | |
Total votes | 367,983 | 100.00% |
Runoff
editPolling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Henry McMaster |
John Warren |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Trafalgar Group (R) | June 19–21, 2018 | 1,650 | ± 3.0% | 54% | 37% | 9% |
Fabrizio, Lee and Associates (R-Warren) | June 19–20, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 42% | 46% | 13% |
The Trafalgar Group (R) | June 13–14, 2018 | 1,000 | ± 3.0% | 60% | 31% | 9% |
Results
editMcMaster
- McMaster—80–90%
- McMaster—70–80%
- McMaster—60–70%
- McMaster—50–60%
Warren
- Warren—50–60%
- Warren—60–70%
- Warren—70–80%
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Henry McMaster (incumbent) | 184,286 | 53.63% | |
Republican | John Warren | 159,349 | 46.37% | |
Total votes | 343,635 | 100.00% |
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- James Smith, state representative[35]
- Running mate: Mandy Powers Norrell, state representative[36]
Defeated in Primary
edit- Phil Noble, business and technology consultant and candidate for lieutenant governor in 1994[37]
- Running mate: Gloria Bromell Tinubu, former Atlanta, Georgia City Councilwoman, former Georgia State Representative and nominee for SC-07 in 2012 and 2014[38]
- Marguerite Willis, attorney[39]
- Running mate: John Scott, state senator[40]
Declined
edit- Steve Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia[13][2][41][42]
- Marlon Kimpson, state senator[2][43][41][44]
- Inez Tenenbaum, former State Superintendent of Education, former chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004[43][41]
Endorsements
editPhil Noble
- Doug Jones, U.S. Senator from Alabama[45]
Polling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Phil Noble |
James Smith |
Marguerite Willis |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Target-Insyght | April 3–5, 2018 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 27% | 27% | 21% | – | 25% |
TargetPoint/GQR | March 10–17, 2018 | 296 | – | 7% | 18% | 11% | – | 57% |
The Trafalgar Group (R) | November 29 – December 30, 2017 | 2,223 | ± 2.1% | 25% | 20% | – | 21% | 34% |
Results
editSmith
- Smith—70–80%
- Smith—60–70%
- Smith—50–60%
- Smith—40–50%
Willis
- Willis—40–50%
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | James Smith | 148,633 | 61.81% | |
Democratic | Marguerite Willis | 66,248 | 27.55% | |
Democratic | Phil Noble | 25,587 | 10.64% | |
Total votes | 240,468 | 100.00% |
Independents and third parties
editDeclared
edit- Phil Cheney (Independent), former Anderson City Councilman, candidate for SC-03 in 2006 and write-in candidate for SC-05 in 2017[47]
Failed Nomination
edit- Martin Barry (American Party), medication researcher,[48] nomination declined by the American Party[49]
- Running mate: James Cartee, theater director
General election
editPredictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[50] | Likely R | October 26, 2018 |
The Washington Post[51] | Likely R | November 5, 2018 |
FiveThirtyEight[52] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
Rothenberg Political Report[53] | Safe R | November 1, 2018 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[54] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
RealClearPolitics[55] | Safe R | November 4, 2018 |
Daily Kos[56] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
Fox News[57][a] | Likely R | November 5, 2018 |
Politico[58] | Likely R | November 5, 2018 |
Governing[59] | Likely R | November 5, 2018 |
- Notes
- ^ The Fox News Midterm Power Rankings uniquely does not contain a category for Safe/Solid races
Endorsements
editHenry McMaster (R)
- U.S. Executive Branch officials
- Donald Trump, 45th President of The United States[60]
- Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States[61]
- State figures
- Tom Rice, U.S. Representative (SC-7)[62]
- Katrina Shealy, state senator[63]
- Kevin Brackett, a South Carolina Circuit Solicitor[64]
- Scarlett Wilson, a South Carolina Circuit Solicitor[64]
- Organizations
- NRA Political Victory Fund[65]
- SC Citizens for Life[66]
- Newspapers
James Smith (D)
- Former U.S. Executive Branch officials
- U.S. Senators
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator (I-VT)[69]
- U.S. Representatives
- James Clyburn, U.S. Representative (D-SC)[70]
- Local and statewide politicians
- Robert Barber, former state representative[44]
- Steve Benjamin, current Mayor of Columbia[42]
- Floyd Breeland, former state representative[44]
- Margie Bright Matthews, state senator[44]
- Robert Brown, state representative[44]
- Wendell Gilliard, state representative[44]
- Jim Hodges, former Governor of South Carolina[71]
- Joe Jefferson, state representative[44]
- Marlon Kimpson, state senator[44]
- Marvin Pendarvis, state representative[44]
- Vic Rawl, Chairman of the Charleston County Council[44]
- Richard Riley, former United States Secretary of Education and former Governor of South Carolina[72]
- Leon Stavrinakis, state representative[44]
- Mary Tinkler, Charleston County Treasurer and former state representative[44]
- Joe Riley, former Mayor of Charleston, SC.[73]
- Individuals
- Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington and chairman of the Democratic Governors Association[74]
- Organizations
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina[75]
- Our Revolution SC[69]
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund[76]
- Sierra Club South Carolina chapter[77]
- South Carolina Equality[78]
- VoteVets.org[79]
Polling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Henry McMaster (R) |
James Smith (D) |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Trafalgar Group (R) | October 29–31, 2018 | 3,792 | ± 1.6% | 54% | 38% | 8% |
The Trafalgar Group (R) | October 12–14, 2018 | 4,830 | ± 2.1% | 56% | 32% | 12% |
The Trafalgar Group (R) | September 24 – October 2, 2018 | 2,692 | ± 1.9% | 51% | 37% | 13% |
The Tarrance Group (R-RGA) | August 11–13, 2018 | 601 | ± 4.1% | 52% | 41% | 7% |
Garin-Hart-Yang (D-Smith) | August 6–9, 2018 | 605 | ± 4.1% | 47% | 43% | 10% |
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Henry McMaster (incumbent) | 921,342 | 53.96% | −1.94% | |
Democratic | James Smith | 784,182 | 45.92% | +4.50% | |
Write-in | 2,045 | 0.12% | +0.05% | ||
Total votes | 1,707,569 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Republican hold |
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
edit- Darlington (largest city: Hartsville)
Results by congressional district
editMcMaster won 6 of 7 congressional districts. [80]
District | McMaster | Smith | Representative |
---|---|---|---|
1st | 52% | 48% | Mark Sanford |
Joe Cunningham | |||
2nd | 54% | 46% | Joe Wilson |
3rd | 67% | 33% | Jeff Duncan |
4th | 59% | 41% | Trey Gowdy |
William Timmons | |||
5th | 57% | 43% | Ralph Norman |
6th | 30% | 70% | Jim Clyburn |
7th | 57% | 43% | Tom Rice |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "South Carolina 2018 General Election". Thegreenpapers.com. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Jackson, Gavin (September 4, 2016). "2018 governor's race starts to loom large after November. So who's going to run?". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg (August 25, 2016). "McMaster is 'hoping to be in' next South Carolina gov's race". The Herald. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ Adcox, Seanna (November 28, 2017). "Political novice and newcomer joins Gov. Henry McMaster as 2018 running mate". The Post and Courier. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
- ^ Shain, Andy; Adcox, Seanna (December 1, 2017). "Upstate businessman exploring 2018 South Carolina governor's run". The Post and Courier. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
- ^ "#SC2018: John Warren Entering Governor's Race". FITSNews. February 11, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg (May 30, 2018). "SC Gov Hopeful Warren Picks Businessman as Running Mate". U.S. News & World Report.
- ^ Brown, Andy (July 28, 2017). "'I am the right': South Carolina Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant joins 2018 governor's race". The Post and Courier. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ^ Shain, Andrew (March 21, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: Former Lt. Gov. McGill running for governor as a Republican". The State. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Duncan, Emma; Kropf, Schuyler (November 19, 2016). "Catherine Templeton running for governor". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
- ^ Andy Shain. "Greenville prosecutor will join South Carolina governor ticket". Post and Courier. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Shain, Andy (September 6, 2017). "Sen. Tom Davis opts out of running for South Carolina governor in 2018". The Post and Courier. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ a b c Brack, Andy (July 17, 2015). "Possible candidates already eyeing governor's mansion". Statehouse Report. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Brown, Kirk (April 10, 2017). "Jeff Duncan rules out running for S.C. governor". The Anderson Independent-Mail. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ "Governor 2018: Mikee Johnson Is Out". FITS News. March 18, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Andy Shain; Emma Dumain. "Tim Scott, Trey Gowdy could team up for governor, lt. governor bid". Postandcourier.com. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Dumain, Emma; Kropf, Schuyler (December 5, 2016). "Sen. Tim Scott leaning toward not running for South Carolina governor". The Post and Courier. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ Emma Dumain. "South Carolina 2018 governor's race: Sen. Tim Scott out, Catherine Templeton in". Post and Courier. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
- ^ "Joe Taylor Mulls 2018 Gubernatorial Bid". FITS News. September 8, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
- ^ "Catherine Templeton Backed By Joe Taylor". FITS News. September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ Dykes, David (August 26, 2016). "Billy Wilkins considering run for governor in '18". Greenville Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ Dykes, David (November 14, 2016). "Wilkins won't run for governor in 2018". Upstate Business Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
- ^ Kropf, Schuyler (October 7, 2017). "Palmetto Politics: All of South Carolina's Republicans in Washington took gun lobby money last year". The Post and Courier. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
- ^ a b Kinnard, Meg (May 31, 2018). "US Rep. Ralph Norman backing Templeton in SC governor's race". Associated Press.
- ^ "Anti-corruption candidate Catherine Templeton earns support from convicted former S.C. House speaker". The Post and Courier. April 26, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "Maggie's List Proudly Endorses Catherine Templeton for Governor of South Carolina". Maggie's List. November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Gubernatorial candidate John Warren gains support from York County lawmakers". The Herald (Rock Hill). June 18, 2018.
- ^ "SC governor candidate John Warren scores endorsement of Greenville Mayor Knox White". The Greenville News. May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "SC governor candidate John Warren picks running mate: Charleston businessman Pat McKinney". The Greenville News. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "Duck call in SC governor's race: Duck Dynasty star makes endorsement". Thestate.com. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "Templeton, Bryant endorse Warren to unseat McMaster in GOP runoff for SC governor". Thestate.com. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "Lawmaker who opted against gov bid backs McMaster challenger | the State". Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ "Official Results". South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ "Official Results". South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Shain, Andy (October 5, 2017). "Rep. James Smith becomes first Democrat to enter 2018 South Carolina governor's race". Charleston Post Courier. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
- ^ Schechter, Maayan (May 8, 2018). "Democrats Smith, Noble pick running mates in the governor's race". The State. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ Kropf, Schuyler (October 10, 2017). "Charleston consultant Phil Noble joins Democratic Race for Governor". Charleston Post Courier. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ Lovegrove, Jamie (May 10, 2018). "Democratic hopeful Phil Noble picks running mate in South Carolina governor's race". The Post and Courier. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ Marchant, Bristow (January 31, 2018). "Another candidate jumps into the race for SC governor". The State. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Lovegrove, Jamie (March 27, 2018). "Democratic candidate for governor Marguerite Willis names state Sen. John Scott as running mate". The Post and Courier. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ a b c Self, Jamie (September 20, 2016). "Democrats running for SC governor? It's anyone's guess". The State. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
- ^ a b Trainor, Chris (November 13, 2017). "Mayor Steve Benjamin Endorses James Smith for Governor". The Free Times. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Jones, Tyler (September 13, 2016). "2018 SC Governor's Race - 8 Democrats to Watch". Speak Strategic. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Shain, Andy (November 14, 2017). "James Smith wins endorsements from Lowcountry politicians in S.C. governor's race". The Post and Courier. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
- ^ Andy Shain. "Alabama Sen. Doug Jones endorses Phil Noble for S.C. governor". Postandcourier.com. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Official Results". South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Trainor, Chris (December 29, 2017). "Candidate for Governor Wants McLeod for Running Mate, Hasn't Met Her". FreeTimes. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ Moore, Matt (March 29, 2018). "Third party candidate files to run for governor". WYFF4. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ Moore, Matt (August 10, 2018). "Third-party candidate out of race for SC governor". WYFF. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "2018 Governor Race Ratings for October 26, 2018". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "The Washington Post's gubernatorial race ratings". The Washington Post. October 16, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Governor Forecast | FiveThirtyEight". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Gubernatorial Ratings | Inside Elections". insideelections.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Governor". www.centerforpolitics.org. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "2018 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics. October 9, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Governor Race Ratings". Daily Kos. June 5, 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2018 Midterm Power Ranking". Fox News.
- ^ "Politico Race Ratings". Politico.
- ^ "2018 Governor Elections: As November Nears, More Governors' Races Become Tossups". www.governing.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- ^ "President Trump endorsing Governor McMaster for re-election in 2018". Live 5 News. WCSC-TV. October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ "Columbia, Conway on Agenda for President, Vice President Campaign Stops for McMaster". WLTX. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg (June 4, 2018). "US Rep. Tom Rice backs Gov. Henry McMaster's GOP primary bid". Associated Press.
- ^ Barton, Tom (June 14, 2018). "Templeton, Bryant endorse Warren to unseat McMaster in GOP runoff for SC governor". The State. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018.
- ^ a b "2 prosecutors in SC corruption investigation endorse McMaster in GOP runoff". Thestate.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "NRA Endorses Gov. McMaster for Re-election in South Carolina". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018.
- ^ "Who endorses whom in the South Carolina governor's race, and when it matters". The Greenville News. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "Editorial: Vote to keep McMaster as governor". The Post and Courier. November 4, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ Marchant, Bristow. "Here's who Joe Biden is backing in the SC governor's race". The State. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Kelly, Erin (October 11, 2018). "Sen. Bernie Sanders to campaign in nine battleground states to end 'right-wing government'". USA Today. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "#SC2018: Jim Clyburn Joining James Smith For Campaign Events". March 27, 2018.
- ^ Kropf, Schuyler (October 12, 2017). "Former Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges backs James Smith for South Carolina governor in 2018". Post and Courier. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ Byrd, Caitlin (November 15, 2017). "Democrat James Smith endorsed by former Gov. Dick Riley in 2018 South Carolina governor's race". The Post and Courier. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
- ^ Caitlin Byrd. "Former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley endorses James Smith for governor: 'He can win'". Postandcourier.com. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Jay Inslee. "An Army combat veteran who received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan, @JamesSmithSC has led a life of service to his country and to South Carolina. We've got great Democratic candidates ready to lead their states across the country". Twitter.
- ^ Williamson Pezé, Jennie; Tynan, John (April 19, 2018). "Conservation Voters Back James Smith for Governor - Conservation Voters of South Carolina". Conservation Voters of South Carolina. Board of Directors of Conservation Voters of South Carolina.
- ^ Ringer, Vicki (May 2, 2018). "Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic Announces Endorsement of James Smith for South Carolina Governor". Plannedparenthoodaction.org.
- ^ "SC Sierra Club Endorses James Smith". FITSNews. March 22, 2018.
- ^ "#SC2018: James Smith Gets Equality PAC Endorsement". FITSNews.
- ^ Hegdahl, Rick (June 6, 2018). "VoteVets PAC Endorses James Smith for Governor". VoteVets.org.
- ^ https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::ac3c139e-73a1-4391-87f4-1aaaf7ead166 [bare URL]
External links
edit- Official campaign websites