EXCLUSIVE — A new poll published Thursday signals a possible tightening of the South Carolina governor’s race between state Attorney General Alan Wilson, the Republican nominee, and state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee.
Wilson and Johnson are vying to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC).
Recommended Stories
The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates for the Johnson campaign between Aug. 12-15 among 600 likely South Carolina voters, gave both Wilson and Johnson relatively favorable approval ratings, though Johnson’s margin was 6 points higher. On Wilson, 38% held positive views, compared to 25% negative, with 30% not recognizing his name. On the other hand, 36% of respondents viewed Johnson favorably, with just 17% negative and 42% not knowing his name.
When asked “if the election were held today,” 50% of respondents said they’d vote for Wilson compared to 42% for Johnson. Wilson similarly led Johnson by 8 points in a July poll conducted by Public Policy Polling.
But in a bio-tested response, where respondents were again asked who they’d vote for after being read detailed biographies on both candidates, Wilson’s lead was shortened to 2 points, 48%-46%, and within the survey’s margin of error.
Johnson’s biography noted that he grew up in poverty but earned a college basketball scholarship to the College of Charleston before playing professionally. After retiring from basketball, the biography notes that he obtained a master’s degree and a Ph.D. before launching a job placement nonprofit organization and eventually running for the state legislature. Wilson’s biography notes that, following a decorated military career, he was elected as the youngest state attorney general in the country, where he has expanded the state’s investigations of sexual crimes against children.
The poll comes just one day after a poll published by Impact Research found the South Carolina race for the U.S. Senate deadlocked at 41% apiece for Democratic nominee Annie Andrews and Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC).
SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RUNOFF SHOWS 2028 GOP PRIMARY MAY BE UP FOR GRABS
Graham Nordone was the endorsed pick of President Donald Trump following the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, earlier this summer. She won her special election against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) on Tuesday night by 5 points after the president campaigned alongside her last Friday, held a tele-rally supporting her on Monday, and directed his outside political operation to spend nearly $1 million on robocalls in the final days of the race.
Wilson advanced to a runoff alongside Trump’s original pick in the South Carolina governor’s race, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The president later offered him a co-endorsement before Wilson’s eventual runoff victory.
