BALLOT PRIMER · JOHNS ISLAND 3A
Sample Ballot Primer · Nonpartisan

What's on your ballot,
and what's behind it.

A race-by-race guide to the Republican statewide primary for Charleston County, Johns Island 3A — pairing what each candidate says now against what their record shows, with the gaps flagged.

Election
GOP Primary
Date
Tue · Jun 9, 2026
Polls close
7:00 PM
Runoff if no 50%
Jun 23
District
U.S. House 01

Says now

The positions and priorities a candidate is running on this cycle, in their own framing. South Carolina holds open primaries — you need not be a registered Republican to vote this ballot, but you may vote only one party's primary.

Record vs. Rhetoric

A documented gap between a candidate's past record — votes, statements, prior business or public roles — and their current message. Flags describe the facts; the call on whether a gap matters is yours.

Reading tools Dims candidates with no flagged gap. Tip: use your browser's Print to take this to the polls.
RACE 01 — VOTE FOR ONE

Governor

Open seat McMaster term-limited Runoff likely No clear majority in polls

The marquee race of 2026 and one of the most-watched GOP primaries in the country. Late polling showed Wilson, Evette and Reddy clustered at the top with Norman and Mace close behind and a large undecided bloc — meaning a June 23 runoff between the top two is widely expected. Six names appear on your ballot, but one has dropped out.

All six run as Trump-aligned conservatives, so the contrasts are about record, temperament and lane rather than ideology. Treat the polling as volatile: multi-candidate primaries with 20%+ undecided move fast.

Pamela Evette

Lieutenant Governor since 2019 · Upstate businesswoman

Trump-endorsed Poll co-leader
Says

The "next chapter" continuity candidate. Eliminate the state income tax; launch "SCOGE," a DOGE-style government-efficiency office; accountability for officials and elections; tighten voter ID by ending the reasonable-impediment affidavit.

Record

A political newcomer when McMaster picked her in 2018; has spent the cycle sharpening a more combative style. Won Trump's endorsement on May 29 after McMaster's earlier backing. Has not named a running mate — she says she'll decide after the primary. Trump's endorsement post floated Henry McMaster Jr. for the slot, but he publicly declined on June 5.

Record vs. Rhetoric

Wilson's campaign noted that Evette's former firm, Quality Business Solutions, marketed diversity, inclusion and "cultural competence" training to businesses — which his camp argues sits awkwardly with her current anti-DEI message.

Rivals (Wilson and Mace) publicly called on her to pull early ads that implied Trump and McMaster endorsements before either was given. She later secured both.

Alan Wilson

State Attorney General since 2011 · son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson

Poll co-leader Kimbrell's endorsee
Says

Protect families, communities and "values"; wants to "DOGE all of South Carolina government." Leans on a long record of defending Trump in court (amicus briefs, calling the New York case a "witch hunt").

Record

Three-term AG and the most institutionally experienced lawyer in the field. Picked up Josh Kimbrell's endorsement when Kimbrell exited. Named state Sen. Mike Reichenbach as his running mate — one of only two candidates so far to pick a No. 2.

Contested · weigh carefully

In a February 2025 House-floor speech, Mace alleged Wilson ignored evidence of sexual assault against her and other women. Wilson categorically denies it; his office says no case was ever referred to it, and SLED has said it opened an investigation in December 2023 after being contacted by Capitol Police. These remain allegations, not findings — included because it is central to the race, not as a verdict.

Rom Reddy

Isle of Palms businessman · founder of "DOGE SC" · first run for office

Self-funded No endorsements
Says

A "Something Different" outsider pitch: restore God-given rights, honor the Constitution, selfless leadership, end "weaponized government." Refuses all donations and endorsements and is self-funding. On the bill to end abortion exceptions for rape/incest (S.1095), proposes putting the question to voters rather than legislating it.

Record

Wharton-educated; built and sold companies in manufacturing, turf, fibers and packaging. His seawall fight with state regulators on Isle of Palms sparked the activism behind DOGE SC, which has pushed to give the governor control of the judicial-screening panel. The only candidate who has never held office — so there is little prior political record to compare against his message.

Ralph W. Norman

U.S. Rep., 5th District (Rock Hill) · House Freedom Caucus

Haley & DeMint backed No Trump endorsement
Says

"America has a businessman in the White House — South Carolina needs one too." Drain-the-swamp outsider, fiscal hawk, one of the most conservative House members; plays up support for Trump's legislative agenda.

Record

Commercial developer before politics. Trump did not endorse in this race; Norman's backers are Nikki Haley and Jim DeMint.

Record vs. Rhetoric

On Jan. 17, 2021 — three days before Biden's inauguration — Norman texted Mark Meadows urging Trump to invoke "Marshall Law" (martial law) to stay in power, and he did not vote to certify 2020. He later said the text came from "frustration" and that martial law was "never warranted."

In 2024 he was one of only two U.S. House members nationwide to endorse Nikki Haley over Trump; he now runs as Trump-aligned while Haley backs him. Trump's snub of this race is read in that light.

Nancy Mace

U.S. Rep., 1st District (your current congresswoman) · Citadel grad

Most-shifted record
Says

Eliminate the state income tax, cut property taxes, audit SCDOT spending to fix roads, oppose new data centers. Markets herself as a combative Trump-aligned culture warrior — "Trump in high heels."

Record

First woman to graduate The Citadel's Corps of Cadets; flipped this Lowcountry seat in 2020. Built an early brand as an independent-minded moderate before re-positioning as Trump's GOP consolidated.

Record vs. Rhetoric

On Trump: after Jan. 6 she said his "entire legacy was wiped out" and that the party must move on; she voted to certify 2020. She now calls him the best president of our lifetime. She has also recently broken with him over releasing the Epstein files — and Trump endorsed Evette over her.

On LGBTQ issues: in 2021 she told CBS she was "pro-transgender rights, pro-LGBTQ" and co-sponsored the Fairness for All anti-discrimination bill; by 2024 she led the U.S. Capitol transgender-bathroom ban aimed at the first transgender member of Congress.

Reporters across outlets have documented a broader pattern of reversals (e.g., demanding George Santos resign, then voting against his expulsion).

Joshua "Josh" Kimbrell

State Senator (Spartanburg)

Withdrew · still on ballot
Status

Dropped out days before the primary and endorsed Alan Wilson. His name remains printed because ballots were already set; a vote for him does not count toward an active candidate.

RACE 02 — VOTE FOR ONE

U.S. Senate

Incumbent running Trump-endorsed: Graham Graham heavy favorite

Four-term incumbent Lindsey Graham is the clear front-runner; polling has shown him far ahead of the field, leading across demographic groups, with the challengers in low single digits. His five opponents all run to his right, arguing he is not conservative or "America First" enough. (Earlier-publicized challengers André Bauer and Paul Dans are not on this ballot.)

Lindsey Graham

U.S. Senator since 2003 (incumbent) · seeking a fifth term

Trump-endorsed Scott & McMaster chairs
Says

His seniority and close relationship with Trump let him deliver for South Carolina. Hawkish on national security — urged Trump to "go all-in" backing Israel against Iran. Has Trump's endorsement; Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. McMaster chair his campaign.

Record

Long cast as a McCain-style bipartisan dealmaker before realigning sharply toward Trump after 2017.

Record vs. Rhetoric

On Trump: in 2016 he called Trump a "kook," "unfit for office" and a "wrecking ball," and predicted he would destroy the party — then became one of his closest Senate allies.

On immigration: a member of the 2013 bipartisan "Gang of Eight" that wrote a bill with a path to citizenship; he now campaigns as a border hawk, which challengers hammer.

Also cited by critics: co-writing climate legislation with Democrats, and his 2016 "no election-year Supreme Court seat" stance reversed to confirm a justice weeks before the 2020 election.

Mark Lynch

Greenville-area businessman (Jeff Lynch Appliance & TV)

Leading challenger
Says

A hardline conservative arguing Graham has abandoned conservative principles and no longer represents an America-First agenda; faults GOP leaders on the border, spending and "values." Polled a distant second.

Record

First-time candidate from a family appliance business; no prior public office, so no legislative record to weigh.

Thomas Keith Dismukes

Clover · motivational speaker & interim church youth director

First-time candidate
Says

Platform built on the acronym "FREE": fiscal responsibility, restore law and order, empower economic growth, end government overreach. Says he ran because he "felt like I had no voice."

Record

No prior office; runs as a debt-free outsider with a family hobby farm. Nothing in the public record to flag.

Pat Herrmann

Republican challenger

Low profile
Says

Among her proposals is a "Small Business Retribution Act" to increase penalties on customers who fail to pay contractors and service providers. Polling in the low single digits.

Record

Limited public record available.

Calvin Cowen

Republican challenger

Low profile
Record

A low-profile primary challenger running to Graham's right; little detailed policy record has surfaced in coverage. Polling in the low single digits.

Darius L. Mitchell

Republican challenger

Low profile
Record

A low-profile primary challenger; little detailed policy record has surfaced in coverage. Polling in the low single digits.

RACE 03 — VOTE FOR ONE

Attorney General

Open seat First new AG in 15+ years All 3 are prosecutors

With Wilson running for governor, South Carolina elects its first new attorney general in more than 15 years. All three Republicans are courtroom veterans, and all three say they would retry Alex Murdaugh, whose murder convictions were recently set aside. The contrasts are mostly background and approach — there is little "record vs. rhetoric" gap here, but a couple of items are worth knowing.

David M. Pascoe

1st Circuit Solicitor 20+ yrs (Orangeburg, Calhoun, Dorchester)

Fundraising leader
Says

Runs as the proven prosecutor: says he's the only candidate to put "evil men on death row" and sent a convicted murderer to the firing squad; wants the death penalty for child rapists; would retry Murdaugh.

Record

Career prosecutor known for a bipartisan public-corruption probe that convicted multiple state lawmakers, including a former House Speaker. Reported fundraising leader.

David Stumbo

8th Circuit Solicitor 10+ yrs (Upstate)

Ethics complaint reported
Says

Protecting children is his top priority; touts being the first internet-crimes-against-children prosecutor to try such cases to a jury, and wants prison — not probation — for online predators. Would retry Murdaugh.

Record

Solicitor since 2012; previously worked in the AG's office. Stayed out of the sharpest debate clashes.

Worth knowing

Reporting indicated the S.C. Ethics Commission was investigating an Upstate solicitor in this race following a complaint over alleged ethics-law violations — i.e., Stumbo's circuit. Details were limited; noted for awareness, not as a finding.

Stephen Goldfinch

State Senator (Georgetown/Horry) · attorney · Army National Guard JAG

Only legislator in field
Says

Frames the AG's job as pursuing "justice at any cost"; would retry Murdaugh. The one candidate with a legislative voting record rather than a prosecutorial one.

Record

In the State House since 2011, now the Senate. Clashed most sharply with Pascoe in debate, including over legalizing medical marijuana — the field's clearest policy divide.

RACE 04 — VOTE FOR ONE

Commissioner of Agriculture

Open seat Weathers retiring after 20+ yrs ~62% undecided in polling

Longtime commissioner Hugh Weathers is retiring. The office promotes South Carolina farm products, expands markets, and runs consumer protection (inspections, fair-measure and fair-pricing oversight). These are first-time or agency candidates with little national record to compare; the choice turns on background and emphasis. Polling showed Simpson and Ford essentially tied atop a huge undecided share.

Cody Simpson

State director, federal Farm Service Agency · former McMaster ag adviser

Poll co-leaderTrump & McMaster endorsed
Says

Running "for the next generation." Opposes large-scale solar on productive farmland — "I'm against taking up good ag land." Calls himself "President Trump's farmer in South Carolina."

Record

Fifth-generation Clarendon County row farmer and former McMaster agriculture adviser; now the USDA Farm Service Agency's state director, a Trump appointee. Trump gave him a "Complete and Total Endorsement" before he even entered the race, alongside McMaster, and he has since broken state fundraising records for this normally low-profile office.

Danny Ford II

Farm owner · son of championship Clemson football coach Danny Ford

Poll co-leader
Says

The state needs a commissioner who can be "the voice of the farmers," pointing to recovery from Hurricane Helene's damage to waterways and land. Pitches himself as a working farmer, not a career politician.

Record

Farmer, business owner and pilot who worked alongside his father on the family farm.

Jeremy B. Cannon

Full-time farmer & business owner

Says

Argues the job needs a true "agriculture voice — someone who has lived it." Wants to sunset regulations that hinder farms and raise food-safety scrutiny on imports to match what local farmers face. Connects with growers in part by answering questions in Spanish on the trail.

Record

Working farmer; no prior office or record to flag.

Fred West

Director of market development, S.C. Department of Agriculture

Says

Emphasizes that the department serves all South Carolina residents — consumers as well as farmers — not just the agricultural industry.

Record

The insider candidate, currently working within the department he'd lead; no flagged discrepancies.

RACE 05 — VOTE FOR ONE

U.S. House, District 1

Open seat · your district Mace vacating Runoff very likely Rated R+6

This is the most directly local choice on your ballot. Mace is leaving the seat to run for governor, drawing a crowded, combative field for the Charleston-to-Beaufort coastal district. It flipped to Democrat Joe Cunningham in 2018 before Mace won it back in 2020, so it has occasionally been competitive — though forecasters now rate it Solid/Safe Republican. With this many candidates, a June 23 runoff between the top two is very likely. Coverage most often named Smith, Honeycutt and Byars as front-runners.

Mark Smith

State Representative (Daniel Island, Berkeley Co.) since 2020

Named front-runner
Says

"Experience, relationships and results." Touts a State House record on the largest tax cut in state history, backing police, and cracking down on illegal immigration; promises Trump's America-First agenda "not drama."

Record

The field's sitting legislator, so the most concrete voting record to examine; based on Daniel Island, north of your precinct.

Jenny Costa Honeycutt

Charleston County Councilmember since 2018

Closest to Johns Island
Says

"Tired of clickbait politics" — runs on getting in and delivering results for Lowcountry residents. Her council district covers much of James Island and the coastline from Folly Beach to Seabrook, the area nearest you.

Record

Local elected official with a county-government track record on the issues — growth, infrastructure, coast — that hit your area directly.

Jay Byars

Former Dorchester County Councilman (first elected 2011)

Named front-runner
Says

Released a detailed 15-point platform on infrastructure, conservation and affordability, arguing that generic conservatism isn't enough: supporting Trump and the Second Amendment is "the baseline," not a distinguishing position.

Record

County-government background; the most policy-specific platform in the field.

Sam McCown

Physician

Says

Runs as a doctor and outsider; among the better-funded contenders. Limited detailed policy record in coverage beyond standard conservative positions.

Alex Pelbath

Retired Air Force pilot & veteran

Says

Leans on military service and an outsider profile; among the stronger fundraisers in the field. No significant prior political record to flag.

Logan Cunningham

Beaufort County Councilman since 2021 (Bluffton area)

Says

Frames his campaign as "a movement." Local elected official anchored at the southern end of the district; record is at the county level.

Tyler Dykes

Veteran

Says

Runs on a military-service and conservative profile; limited public policy record in coverage.

Kendal Ludden

Attorney

Says

Attorney running in the GOP field; limited detailed policy record has surfaced in coverage.

Dan Brown

Businessman

Says

Businessman/outsider candidate; limited detailed policy record in coverage.

Cindy Wagers Riley

Republican candidate

Says

Among the GOP field; limited detailed policy record has surfaced in coverage.

Mark Sanford

Former SC Governor (2003–11) & former U.S. Rep. for this seat

Withdrew · still on ballot
Status

Briefly entered to reclaim his old seat, then suspended his campaign. His name remains printed on the June 9 ballot, so a vote for him is effectively a wasted vote. He held this district 1995–2001 and 2013–19, and was governor 2003–11; he lost a 2018 primary after criticizing Trump.

ON THE BALLOT — TWO QUESTIONS

Advisory Questions

Non-binding GOP "temperature check"

Important: these are not ballot measures — nothing becomes law from the result. The state Republican Party uses them to gauge support for changes its leaders want, which can then become talking points in the Legislature. Here's the plain-English version of each, with the case made by both sides.

Question 1

Should people have the right to register with the political party of their choice when they register to vote?

Translation: do you want South Carolina to register voters by party — a step toward closing the primaries?

Case for "Yes"

SC currently doesn't register voters by party, which is what enables open primaries. Supporters say party registration would stop members of the other party from influencing GOP nominations (they point to "Operation Chaos"-style crossover voting).

Case for "No"

Groups like the League of Women Voters oppose it on disenfranchisement grounds — since most South Carolina races are effectively decided in the primary, closing them narrows who gets a say.

Yes No
Question 2

Should candidates for local school boards be able to run as a candidate of the party of their choice, like candidates for other offices?

Translation: do you want school-board races to become partisan, party-labeled contests?

Case for "Yes"

Most SC school boards are currently nonpartisan. Supporters say party labels give voters a clearer signal about a candidate's values; it mirrors a stalled bill (H.3759) that would make all school-board races partisan.

Case for "No"

Opponents say injecting party politics into local education governance is the wrong direction and that school-board work is better kept out of the partisan arena.

Yes No
Go deeper

Sources to explore

Mixed across the spectrum and toward primary sources where possible. Read outlets with their leanings in mind (noted where relevant), and verify specifics against candidates' own sites.

Ballotpedia — SC 2026 GOP primariesNeutral candidate lists, district data, past results.
Ballotpedia — SC-01 raceYour House district, full field and history.
Post and Courier — who's running in SC-01Deepest local Charleston coverage.
Post and Courier — the advisory questionsWhat the two questions actually mean.
RealClearPolling — governor averagePolling aggregate (treat as volatile).
govotesc.org — official voter infoNonpartisan; check your own sample ballot.
SCETV — AG primary debate recapCandidates in their own words.
FITSNewsInsider primary analysis — leans conservative; read with that lens.