Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
28.5%
16.1%
6.7%
South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
$34.0K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
Age40 years old (Jul 4, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundState representative
EducationCollege of Charleston (basketball scholarship; alumnus)
Notable personal detailsJermaine Lafrance Johnson Sr. is a Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and a candidate for Governor of South Carolina in the 2026 election cycle. He previously worked as a professional basketball player and has been involved in community and nonprofit work in South Carolina, including founding the New Economic Beginnings Foundation. He has described earning a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and has also worked in consulting and as an adjunct professor.
SourcesShowHide
johnsonforsc.comen.wikipedia.orgscstatehouse.govtoday.cofc.eduthestate.comsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgyorkscdems.orgelectionhistory.scvotes.govlive5news.comabccolumbia.comnationaltoday.comwrdw.comwrhi.comapnews.comdrjermainejohnsonforschouse.comyahoo.comcvsc.orgwistv.compodcasts.apple.comjohnsonforsc.orgnews.wttw.comjajohnsoncpa.comwbez.orgthetriibe.comidcrawl.comchicago.suntimes.comcareers.jnj.comjjins.comwayup.comjustfacts.votesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgnga.orgballotready.orghistory.house.govgovinfo.govdocquery.fec.govcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates both increased direct payments to residents (a proposed Palmetto Dividend universal payment of $400 per adult) and targeted tax relief for working families (including lowering property taxes). There is no clear, consistent proposal in the available materials that specifies how the dividend would be funded or whether taxes would be raised on high earners or corporations to pay for expanded programs.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to healthcare including investing in rural hospitals and broadening coverage; prioritizes affordable healthcare and reproductive rights as part of his policy agenda.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports protecting women’s reproductive rights and says medical decisions should be left to families and their doctors. He has written legislation related to centering female legislators on reproductive issues and frames protecting reproductive rights as a policy priority.
Climate & Energy
Supports investing in state infrastructure and increasing in-state production and resiliency for food, energy, and water (including a campaign proposal to require at least 25% in-state production). Has supported alternative-fuel tax credits and generally scores highly with state conservation voters, while showing mixed positions on specific bills.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports increasing accountability for gun owners and tougher penalties for negligent storage to prevent children from accessing firearms; emphasizes prioritizing youth safety and putting resources behind prevention. No explicit support for sweeping bans or constitutional-carry measures found in the sourced materials.
Polls
South Carolina Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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