It has been a strange, atypical election season. That’s all there is to it.
Heading into the June 9 primaries, more voters have cast ballots early than ever before since 2022 when early voting started. In fact, this year’s total – 235,778 voters over seven days through June 3 – is more than the totals for 10 days of early voting in 2022 (100,990 voters) and 2024 (120,178 voters).
That’s pretty amazing and, as we’ve written, reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the current crop of politicians in Washington and Columbia who aren’t effectively dealing with the affordability issues (rising costs for food, gas, health care and daily living) that people are demanding.. But putting that aside, the election is just weird. In the two major parties, there are eight candidates who want to be governor. And in the First Congressional District, there are 17 candidates.
Most aren’t getting out messages effectively – or are using nontraditional methods because the traditional method – television advertising – is waning. Still, based on expenditures at one Charleston television station, some candidates are reaching out, blasting televised news programs with advertising.
Among Republicans for governor, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman and rich guy Rom Reddy of Isle of Palms spent in the low six-figures over the last few months, while Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson spent at $63,082 and $94,025 respectively since the beginning of the year.
What all of this means is that Norman and Reddy have likely spent more than $2 million each on traditional advertising statewide, while Evette and Wilson have spent more than $1 million each.
Among the three Democrats running for the state’s top spot, only Greenville businessman Billy Webster, a political unknown to many, has burned up the airwaves, with more than $270,000 spending at the station since mid-April. Webster, who needs to spend to build name recognition among Democratic voters, likely has burned at least $4 million on primary television ads across the Palmetto State.
It’s pretty amazing that the other two Democratic candidates – S.C. Rep. Jermaine Johnson of Hopkins and Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod – have spent little, if anything.
To add another twist, look at what’s going on in television spending in the First Congressional District. At two Charleston stations we checked, only three candidates spent any money – former GOP Gov. Mark Sanford, who dropped out, Democratic candidate Nancy Lacore of Mount Pleasant and Republican Charleston Dr. Sam McCown.
What’s odd is that the other 14 candidates, including the purported GOP frontrunners, don’t seem to have spent a dime on paid television media. Instead, they seem to be relying on other less expensive outlets – direct mail, internet ads – and free stuff like public appearances. They also seem to be relying on more retail politics to get out a broad message in a year where voters are irked.
Two other things about this year’s oddball primaries make it difficult to use past elections as harbingers for the future – independent voters and turnout.
It’s unclear where independents will go in the primaries since both teams have several candidates. Independents may steer toward the GOP to vote against someone – or they may head to the Democratic primary to cast ballots in frustration. Or they may stay home, which also puts a twist on things.
Second, it’s unclear what’s going to happen with election day turnout. If trends continue, a lot more people will vote in the Democratic primary, which could dampen the impact of Black voters and help Webster. But if more people head to the GOP primary on the day of voting – which generally happens – Republican incumbents could face some bad news at the polls.
Only two things are clear this year: The primaries matter like never before and nobody knows what’s going to happen.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
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Despite Trump’s post, SC governor’s son says he won’t run with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette
BY: JESSICA HOLDMAN - JUNE 5, 2026 6:11 PM
COLUMBIA — A week after President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette brought accusations of a “backroom deal,” Henry McMaster Jr. said he will not be her running mate.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even strangers encouraging me to run for public office, but now is simply not the right time for me to be considered for Lieutenant Governor,” McMaster Jr., son of Gov. Henry McMaster, posted on social media Friday.
Trump alluded to McMaster Jr. as Evette’s running mate in his post on Truth Social endorsing her.
“A BIG added plus for Pam is that, I hear, Henry McMaster, Jr., the brilliant and very competent son of Henry and Peggy, will be running with her as the next Lieutenant Governor,” he wrote.
The Evette campaign largely remained silent on the matter.
McMaster Jr’s post put an end to the question just before polling places closed on the last day of early voting ahead of the June 9 primary.
“It was incredibly humbling to be mentioned as a potential Lieutenant Governor candidate by the greatest President in American history,” he wrote. “Virginia and I have had an amazing year. We have successful careers, and our family is happy and healthy.”
He ended the post saying he is “Team Evette all the way.”
“I’m confident that, with Pamela Evette as our governor, South Carolina’s best days are ahead,” he wrote.
McMaster Jr. did not immediately respond to a message left by the SC Daily Gazette.
State Rep. Gil Gatch, an Evette ally, said the lieutenant governor is focused entirely on the primary.
“Nobody on this planet respects the opinion of the president more than her,” the Summerville Republican said. “But when she picks a lieutenant governor, she will be the first to let everybody know.”
Throughout the week, Evette’s competitors suggested McMaster Jr.’s consideration had been part of a political deal struck between the governor and the president — an accusation the governor has denied.
Attorney General Alan Wilson’s campaign repeatedly called on McMaster and Evette to address the matter.
“After a lifetime in public office paid for by South Carolina taxpayers, the Governor should answer the questions that continue to surround this backroom deal,” a Wilson campaign statement on Tuesday read. “South Carolina families deserve straightforward answers, not silence.”
And U.S. Rep Nancy Mace, on social media, called it “an obvious pay back.”
Evette campaigned hard in favor of the White House-requested effort to redraw South Carolina’s congressional voting lines in an effort to flip the state’s only blue seat, calling on legislators to pass a new map “by any means necessary.”
Senators initially rejected putting redistricting on the agenda for the off-session, despite Trump calling legislators personally and calling in to a GOP caucus meeting.
McMaster, in a May 14 order issued minutes after the regular session ended, brought legislators back to debate it anyway.
The next day, McMaster denied rumors that his order was connected to a potential Trump endorsement for his lieutenant governor.
Ultimately, 14 GOP senators voted with Democrats to kill the bill May 26, as record numbers of voters turned out on the first day of early voting.
After the Trump endorsement signaled the governor’s son would be part of Evette’s ticket, the rumors escalated to public allegations that the order for a special session was part of a deal.
Speaking to reporters this week, McMaster called any claims that he exchanged political favors for his son to become lieutenant governor misinformation.
“I think people are making up those kinds of stories to tell,” McMaster told reporters.
Had McMaster Jr. decided to run, his father said he’d support his son’s bid for any office he chose.
“I’m proud of what he’s doing,” McMaster said.
At least one of Evette’s opponents in the five-way race for the Republican nomination also weighed in following McMaster Jr.’s post.
“South Carolina doesn’t want a political dynasty — and apparently that message got through,” U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace wrote on social media.
Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the SC Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier.
SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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