Jermaine
Johnson

Post-debate reporting highlighted key clashes between Johnson and Wilson on issues including data-center regulation, Flock cameras, tax policy, and Medicaid expansion. Johnson supported a moratorium on new data-center permits and Medicaid expansion; Wilson opposed both.

Johnson and Wilson faced off in a one-hour televised debate at WIS-TV's Columbia studio. Topics included affordability and taxes, data centers, Flock license-plate cameras, health care and Medicaid expansion, abortion, gambling, and hate-crime legislation. Johnson argued for Medicaid expansion and opposed Flock cameras. Wilson criticized Johnson over missed legislative votes; Johnson pointed to Republican control of the legislature.

State voter-guide coverage confirmed four candidates on the November 3 ballot: Republican Alan Wilson, Democrat Jermaine Johnson, United Citizens Party candidate Michael Addison, and Green Party candidate Walid Hakim.

At a campaign stop in Florence, Johnson opposed Flock cameras and automatic license-plate readers, calling the technology 'overreach' and saying he favored crime-prevention programs instead. He also said infrastructure repairs should be prioritized by need.

Johnson's campaign reported raising $700,000 during the July–September quarter, its best fundraising quarter of the campaign. The campaign also said it had more individual donors than any prior Democratic gubernatorial campaign in South Carolina history. The quarterly report had not yet been filed with the State Ethics Commission at time of publication.

A Resonance Media poll conducted September 29–October 3 among 638 registered voters showed Wilson leading Johnson 45% to 35%, with approximately 15% undecided and a margin of error of ±3.7 points.

Odds and polling data indicated Johnson was trailing Republican Alan Wilson in the South Carolina governor's race as of early October 2026.

A televised debate between Democratic candidate Jermaine Johnson and Republican candidate Alan Wilson was announced and scheduled for October 6, described as the only debate ahead of the November 3 general election.

In an interview, Johnson further outlined his 'New SC' agenda, reiterating proposals for Medicaid expansion, mental-health access, rural economic development, and investment in farmers and small businesses.

Johnson campaigned in Horry County promoting his 'New SC' agenda, which included expanding Medicaid and mental-health access, a governor's advisory council of residents ages 18–35, rural economic development, suspending the state gas tax if savings passed to consumers, and a moratorium on new data-center permits.

At a Greenville prayer breakfast, Johnson outlined priorities including paved roads, job opportunities, safe communities, and affordable necessities. Clergy offered support at the event, though no formal major endorsement was established.

Jermaine Johnson won the South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial primary outright, receiving 59.7% of the vote, securing his place as the Democratic nominee for governor.