(The Center Square) – Republican Alan Wilson won the South Carolina governor’s race on Tuesday.
Running on a ticket with lieutenant governor candidate Mike Reichenbach, Wilson defeated Jermaine Johnson and running mate Sam Skardon. With four of 46 counties yet to finalize at time of publication, Wilson’s win was 51.7%-47%.
In a statement made available by his campaign, Wilson said in part, “Tonight, I am deeply humbled and grateful for the trust the people of South Carolina have placed in me. This victory belongs to the hard-working South Carolinians who believe in a brighter future for our state.”
On a night when a 62-year stranglehold of a U.S. Senate seat was taken away from Republicans, the party was on the way to prevailing as expected in statewide offices.
Also en route to Republican wins over Democrats – though yet to be called – as final counties came in were Mark Hammond over Jason Belton for secretary of state; Curtis Loftis over Vincent Coe for treasuer; David Stumbo over Richard Hricik for attorney general; Mike Burkhold over Tiffany Boozer for comptroller general; Ellen Weaver over Sylvia Wright for state superintendent of education; and Cody Simpson over DeShawn Blanding for commissioner of agriculture.
Wilson, son of 13-term U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson and a four-term attorney general, campaigned on protection of families and communities, and their values. He hopes to lower taxes, empower parents in their child’s pursuit of education, has plans for infrastructure, and wants to expand access to rural healthcare.
Johnson’s platform stood out for tax exemptions enabling 70% of the state’s families to pay no state income tax, and repeal of some Republican changes he believes burdened lower-income earners. He supported legalized medicinal marijuana; expansion of Medicaid; access to abortion; and increased minimum wage; and was in opposition to data centers and school choice.