South Carolina Democratic voters selected state Rep. Jermaine Johnson as their nominee for governor in Tuesday's primary. The victory marks a rare opportunity for Democrats in a state that has not elected a Democratic governor since Jim Hodges in 2002. Johnson, a former basketball player and millennial lawmaker, defeated two other Democratic contenders to become the party's nominee.
Johnson, who represents parts of Richland and Kershaw Counties, launched his campaign only months ago. He previously ousted longtime incumbent Jimmy Bales in 2020 with support from CNN commentator Bakari Sellers. The former basketball player played collegiately at the College of Charleston and briefly played in the NBA's G-League with the Reno Bighorns (now the Stockton Kings).
During a recent primary debate, Johnson criticized fellow Democrats for not campaigning in certain areas of the state. 'I have been going to places where they have never seen a candidate before, and people are fired up,' Johnson stated. When contender Mullins McLeod criticized Johnson for collaborating with the Republican supermajority, Johnson responded, 'It's hard to throw rocks when you have not been in the fight.' He defended his work on an environmental bill, claiming he improved it from 'horrible to a little bit better.'
Johnson's victory sets up a general election showdown with the eventual Republican nominee, with Republican firebrand Nancy Mace already launching her gubernatorial bid. The race will test whether Democrats can make inroads in a state that has consistently voted Republican in gubernatorial elections for over two decades.