Walid
N. Hakim
Green Party candidate for South Carolina governor in 2026; Marine Corps veteran and former police officer
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Walid N. Hakim is the Green Party candidate for governor of South Carolina in the November 3, 2026 general election. 123 He is not an incumbent; the race is an open-seat contest to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster. 613
According to his campaign biography, Hakim attended Lexington High School and Newberry College before leaving college to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. He served as a military policeman and later worked in car sales, restaurant ownership, and policing, and had small acting roles from 2011 to 2018. 12 His family moved to South Carolina, his mother's home state, in 1985. 1
Hakim has previously sought office as a Democrat, running for Columbia City Council and the state House, though neither campaign resulted in holding elected office. 18 A 2012 Salon profile noted that he had served as executive director of the South Carolina Libertarian Party and as vice chairman of a state-empaneled community relations board. 16
No current job or elected office was identified in the sources reviewed. His campaign site identifies him solely as a candidate for governor. 1
At a glance
- Party
- Green
- Running for
- Governor, South Carolina
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- walidnhakim.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 6pollPoll shows Hakim at 1.11% support in SC governor's race, far behind Wilson and Johnson
A poll by Rick Quinn of 638 SC registered voters (conducted Sept. 29–Oct. 3, ±3.7% margin of error) found Hakim at 1.11%, versus 45.17% for Republican Alan Wilson, 35.03% for Democrat Jermaine Johnson, and 2.85% for United Citizens candidate Michael Addison; 15.84% were undecided.
Exclusive: Alan Wilson Enjoys Double-Digit Lead in S.C. Governor's ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsGreenville News profiles Hakim's '100-year plan' from campaign website; Hakim did not respond to comment request
The Greenville News reported that Hakim's campaign website describes a '100-year plan' focused on sustainable infrastructure, forest protection, and education reform, alongside a 10-point plan. Hakim did not respond to the outlet's request for comment.
Four candidates seek to lead SC as governor. See their top priorities · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsHakim confirmed on November 3 ballot as one of four SC governor candidates
News reports published in October list Hakim among the four candidates appearing on the November 3, 2026 South Carolina governor ballot.
South Carolina voter guide 2026: What to know for the November 3 election · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6debateHakim excluded from televised SC governor debate featuring Wilson and Johnson
The televised governor debate featured Republican Alan Wilson and Democrat Jermaine Johnson. Hakim and United Citizens candidate Michael Addison were on the November ballot but were not scheduled to participate in the debate.
S.C. gubernatorial candidates to debate: Here's how to watch · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsHakim interviewed by Live 5 News, outlines policy platform including rail, education, and immigration
In a Live 5 News interview, Hakim advocated statewide high-speed rail, year-round schooling, and a government-backed insurance plan. He said none of his proposals would require raising taxes, arguing funds were already mismanaged. He also said he did not believe ICE had a place in South Carolina, and that he would audit every agency and program under his administration.
WE THE PALMETTO: A Green Governor? · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 9filingWalid Hakim wins Green Party nomination for South Carolina governor at party convention
Smarter.Vote reports that Hakim advanced as the Green Party nominee at the party's convention on May 9, 2026. This is the reported nomination milestone; the source is not an official election filing.
Walid Hakim — 2026 South Carolina Governor Election | Smarter.Vote · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- South Carolina Green Party organizationNominated Hakim as its gubernatorial candidate at its May 9, 2026 convention. This reflects the party nomination rather than a separate formal endorsement announcement. scgreenparty.org · May 9, 2026
Sources 10
- [1] policy platform - Walid N. Hakim For Governor(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Exclusive: Alan Wilson Enjoys Double-Digit Lead in S.C. Governor's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [3] Four candidates seek to lead SC as governor. See their top priorities(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] South Carolina voter guide 2026: What to know for the November 3 election(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] S.C. gubernatorial candidates to debate: Here's how to watch(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] WE THE PALMETTO: A Green Governor?(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] Walid Hakim — 2026 South Carolina Governor Election | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [8] Walid Hakim on Health Care(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [9] Walid Hakim at BetterBallotSC(opens in a new tab) Feb 22, 2026
- [10] South Carolina Green Party(opens in a new tab) Apr 5, 2025