South Carolina voters are choosing nominees for governor and Senate in a primary held today, June 9, 2026, in races that test the state’s Republican dominance and feature high-profile candidates and endorsements.
The gubernatorial primary is unfolding as an open race because Republican Governor Henry McMaster is term-limited and ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term, according to NBC News.
In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette faces a crowded field that includes Rep. Nancy Mace and other candidates. President Donald Trump endorsed Evette, according to The New York Times, underscoring his continued influence in South Carolina Republican politics. The Washington Post reported that the race centers on Trump’s sway over the state’s GOP direction.
The Senate primary features incumbent Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is running for a fifth term, according to Wikipedia. Graham faces well-funded challengers in the Republican primary, while Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, is the Democratic Senate candidate, according to WYFF News 4.
Democrats in both gubernatorial and Senate primaries have criticized what they see as failures of South Carolina’s GOP-dominated leadership, according to PBS. The state has maintained Republican control of its government for decades.
Live results from the South Carolina primary are being tracked by major news outlets including NBC News, PBS, and The New York Times as voters across the state cast ballots on June 9 primaries underway in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina.
Sources
- NBC News — confirmed Henry McMaster’s term-limit status and the crowded Republican gubernatorial field; provided live results tracking
- The New York Times — reported Trump’s endorsement of Pamela Evette for governor
- The Washington Post — described the gubernatorial race as a test of Trump’s influence in South Carolina
- Wikipedia — confirmed Lindsey Graham is running for a fifth Senate term
- WYFF News 4 — identified Dr. Annie Andrews as the Democratic Senate candidate
- PBS — reported Democratic criticism of GOP-dominated state leadership
