State Rep. Jermaine Johnson is the Democratic nominee for South Carolina governor in the Nov. 3 general election. Johnson, who represents District 80, won the June 9 primary with 59.7% of the vote, defeating Billy Webster and Mullins McLeod with 221,951 votes, according to The State.

Johnson faces Republican Alan Wilson, United Citizens candidate Michael Addison and Green candidate Walid Hakim, according to BallotReady election data. If elected, Johnson would be the first Black governor of South Carolina, FOX Carolina reported.

He selected Sam Skardon, former Charleston County Democratic Party chairman, as his lieutenant governor running mate. The pick was announced July 30, according to The State.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Residence: Hopkins, South Carolina
  • Born: July 4, 1985, in Los Angeles, California
  • Family: Married to Dr. Evan Patrice Johnson. Four children: Jermaine Jr., Khloe, Kobe and Kari
  • Education: Doctorate in organizational leadership, Northcentral University (2018); master's in project management, Strayer University (2014); bachelor's in communications, College of Charleston (2008)
  • Campaign website: johnsonforsc.com

Johnson said on his campaign website that he earned a full scholarship to the College of Charleston for basketball, became team captain and later played professionally in the NBA's D-League and internationally.

Experience and public service

Johnson has served as state representative for District 80 since 2022, according to his legislative profile. He announced in January 2026 that he would not seek re-election to his House seat to focus on the governor's race, according to FOX Carolina.

Before entering the legislature, Johnson served as commissioner at the Richland County Recreation Commission (2016–2020) and 3rd vice chair of the Richland County Democratic Party (2018–2020), according to his legislative profile.

Johnson is also owner of Dream Team Consulting, a recruiting firm, and has worked as an adjunct professor at Midlands Technical College, according to his campaign website. He said he founded the New Economic Beginnings Foundation, a nonprofit focused on employment skills and support.

On the issues

Johnson's policy positions below are drawn from his campaign website and his FOX Carolina candidate profile. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Data centers: Johnson said he supports a statewide moratorium on data centers until the legislature works through pending legislation. "Because we have to figure out about the resources that they are taking. And they're not really giving back a lot of job opportunities for people," he said in his FOX Carolina profile.

Transportation: Johnson said he wants an audit of the South Carolina Department of Transportation before sending more money to the agency. He also called for restructuring the department and returning some roads to local municipalities for faster repairs.

Education: Johnson said he opposes school vouchers for private schools until public education is addressed. He said he allocated half a million dollars to found the Lower Richland Tech Academy, which teaches low- and no-coding technologies, and wants to expand trade schools and tech academies statewide.

Taxes and housing: Johnson said he would work with municipalities to reduce property taxes for working families and increase the share of families not paying income tax to 70%. He also said he would fund a grant program allowing municipalities to convert existing structures into affordable housing.

Healthcare: Johnson said he would fund the opening of more rural hospitals, noting over a third of the state lives in rural communities.

Endorsements

Johnson has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, according to BallotReady.

The general election is Nov. 3.