Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
8%
15.3%
12.4%
11.2%
10.1%
9.2%
5.9%
D. Nordone
South Carolina Republican Senate special primary winner?
$2.5M
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age79 years old (May 27, 1947)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of South Carolina — A.B. (History), 1969
Notable personal detailsHenry Dargan McMaster is an American attorney and Republican politician who has served as Governor of South Carolina since 2017, after previously serving as South Carolina Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history (1969) and Juris Doctor (1973) from the University of South Carolina. He practiced law for decades and served as U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina after being appointed in 1981. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1975.
SourcesShowHide
governor.sc.govscstatehouse.govsc.eduen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orghenrymcmaster.comcommons.wikimedia.orgarc.govhistory.house.govbrand.mcmaster.cade.wikipedia.orgdolearchivecollections.ku.edulinkedin.compresidentialprayerteam.orgcongress.govimdb.comreddit.comarxiv.orgdor.sc.govcbsnews.comsled.sc.govrga.orgpostandcourier.comscdailygazette.comthehill.comapnews.comthestate.comwfae.orgqcnews.comwsav.comgreenvilleonline.comwltx.compbs.orgabcnews4.comnbcnews.comcounton2.comcnbc.comcnn.comfoxnews.comaxios.comwashingtonpost.com270towin.comfacebook.comyoutube.comnga.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgbioguideretro.congress.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgscott.senate.govgovinfo.govdocs.house.govballotready.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes aggressively, including cutting South Carolina’s personal income tax and eventually eliminating it. Also frames tax cuts as a way to return surplus revenue to taxpayers and spur economic growth.
Healthcare
McMaster has backed Medicaid work requirements and described them as a way to promote employment and self-reliance. He has also defended removing abortion providers from South Carolina’s Medicaid program and supported keeping taxpayer funds from going to Planned Parenthood.
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Immigration & Border
Henry McMaster has backed aggressive border enforcement, including deploying South Carolina National Guard troops to Texas and supporting razor wire fences to secure the border. He has also endorsed efforts to deport illegal immigrants who pose a threat to public safety and national security, and opposed placing unaccompanied migrant children from the southern border in South Carolina foster care and group homes.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Henry McMaster has supported South Carolina abortion restrictions, including a six-week ban. His public statements emphasize protecting unborn life and backing enforcement of abortion limits, while the law he signed includes exceptions for rape, incest, and threats to the pregnant person's life or health.
Climate & Energy
McMaster’s energy position centers on reliability, affordability, and economic growth rather than aggressive climate regulation. He has promoted expanded nuclear generation, natural gas capacity, EV infrastructure planning, and faster permitting for energy projects, while also opposing offshore drilling off South Carolina’s coast.
Public Safety & Guns
McMaster has supported expanding gun rights in South Carolina, including signing constitutional carry legislation. He has also backed stronger penalties for illegal gun possession and other measures aimed at keeping repeat offenders and criminals from using firearms.
Polls
South Carolina Republican Senate special primary winner?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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