South Carolina’s Republican primary delivered a decisive result in the U.S. Senate race and a competitive runoff in the governor’s contest on June 9, 2026. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham won the GOP Senate nomination outright, avoiding a runoff after fending off five challengers with spending exceeding $27 million, according to Politico.
On the Democratic side, pediatrician Annie Andrews secured her party’s Senate nomination to face Graham in November, according to CBS News. The general election will pit the four-term incumbent senator against Andrews, who has emerged as a high-profile Democratic challenger in the traditionally Republican state.
The governor’s race proved more competitive. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff for the Republican nomination after no candidate captured enough votes to win outright in the primary, according to the Associated Press. Trump-backed Evette finished first, while Wilson secured second place, setting up a head-to-head matchup between the two leading Republicans vying to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster, who is barred by term limits from running again.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who had sought Trump’s endorsement, failed to advance and finished fifth in the crowded field. After conceding on election night, Mace endorsed Wilson, according to The Hill. The open governor’s race has drawn national attention and significant spending as Republicans compete to control South Carolina’s executive branch in a state that has voted Republican in recent statewide elections.
Sources
- AP News — Graham’s Senate primary victory and Evette-Wilson governor runoff confirmation
- Politico — Graham’s spending to avoid runoff and Mace’s loss in governor primary
- CBS News — Annie Andrews winning Democratic Senate primary
- The Hill — Mace’s endorsement of Wilson after conceding
- Washington Post — Live results for both Senate and governor races
- NBC News — Governor’s race context and Henry McMaster term limit information
