CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Polls are officially closed for the 2026 primaries.
As results file in from a slate of closely watched primary races, this live blog will provide real-time updates throughout the evening, tracking vote totals, highlighting key races and sharing storylines as they unfold.
The most up-to-date results of each race can be found here.
*The winners, as announced, will be bolded
(UPDATE, 11:30 p.m.) — Charleston County Councilmember Jenny Costa Honeycutt and State House Rep. Mark Smith are headed for a runoff in the GOP primary in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.
The AP called the race around 11:09 p.m. on Tuesday.
The runoff will take place on June 23.
Additionally, Sylvia Wright defeated Lisa Ellis in South Carolina's Democratic primary for superintendent of education, securing the party's nomination in the statewide race.
Wright built a lead with support across key regions, while Ellis conceded and called for party unity ahead of the general election.
(UPDATE, 9:51 p.m.) — David Stumbo and Stephen Goldfinch have advanced to the GOP runoff for South Carolina Attorney General, AP announced.
(UPDATE, 9:31 p.m.) — Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson have advanced to a runoff for the Republican nomination for South Carolina governor, according to the Associated Press.
Here’s a look at Wilson’s watch party as the news broke.
(UPDATE, 9:30 p.m.) Live updates/results from primaries
(UPDATE, 9:05 p.m.) – Lindsey Graham takes home the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and will square off against Dr. Annie Andrews in the general election, the AP announced.
(UPDATE, 8:57 p.m.) – Nancy Mace has conceded the governor’s race and has endorsed Attorney General Alan Wilson. See her full statement here.
Democrat State House Rep. Jermaine Johnson cleared the party primary on Tuesday in his bid for governor of South Carolina. The Associated Press called the race at 8:45 p.m. with roughly 55% of the vote in.
(UPDATE, 8:48 p.m.) – Nancy Lacore and Mac Deford have advanced to the Democratic primary runoff for the SC-01 seat, the AP announced.
(UPDATE, 8:30 p.m.) LIVE Updates/Results from 2026 Primaries:
(UPDATE, 7:55 p.m) – Long-time incumbent Rep. James Clyburn cruised to renomination as the Democratic candidate in South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District.
(UPDATE, 7:45 p.m.) – News 4 spoke with political analyst Dr. Mark Owens, who shared his predictions and told us what to look out for as the results unfold.
(UPDATE, 7:20 p.m.) — Voter turnout in Charleston County appeared steady Tuesday as residents cast ballots in the primary election, with many citing a desire for change and concern over national issues as motivations for heading to the polls.
According to the Charleston County Board of Elections, 37,783 voters had cast ballots by 7 p.m. Tuesday. Election officials said the turnout was typical for a primary election. More than 26,800 voters had already participated during the county’s early voting period, out of more than 275,000 registered voters.
Polling locations across the West Ashley area, including C.E. Williams Middle School North Campus and West Ashley High School, saw a consistent flow of voters throughout the day. Election officials noted that Tuesday’s turnout figures were influenced by a record early voting period, which drew significantly more participation than is typical for primary elections.
Several voters pointed to national and international issues as key factors in their decision to vote.
Roger Amende, a voter and military veteran, said voting in person was a relatively new experience for him after spending much of his career away from home.
“I’ve been mostly in the military, so I’ve been out and around,†Amende said. “This is a new one in my life, actually physically getting to the poll.â€
Virgetta Green said economic concerns and dissatisfaction with government leadership motivated her vote.
“The higher prices and the war, just the overall corruption I think is going on in administration,†Green said. “I want change.â€
Tom Kays cited foreign policy and fiscal concerns as his top priorities.
“I think the national issues, the war in the Middle East, the financial situation and the national debt,†Kays said. “Those are my two biggest issues.â€
A common theme among voters interviewed Tuesday was a desire for change and greater cooperation among elected officials from both political parties.
Elsewhere in the Lowcountry, Berkeley County reported 11,445 voters had cast ballots, including those who participated during early voting. Turnout figures from Dorchester County were not immediately available.
Governor (Republican Nominee)
- Pamela Evette (R)
- Nancy Mace (R)
- Ralph Norman (R)
- Rom Reddy (R)
- Alan Wilson (R)
Earlier today, Nancy Mace had some words for Pamela Evette as an alleged campaign volunteer was arrested for assaulting a Mace supporter
Governor (Democratic Nominee)
- Jermaine Johnson (D)
- Mullin McLeod (D)
- Billy Webster (D)
READ MORE | What to know before SC's governor primaries: candidates, issues, and endorsements
Attorney General:
- David Pascoe (R)
- David Stumbo (R)
- Stephen Goldfinch (R)
Commissioner of Agriculture:
- Jeremy B. Cannon (R)
- Danny Ford (R)
- Cody Simpson (R)
- Fred West (R)
Secretary of State:
- Jason Belton (D)
- Edwina Winter (D)
State Treasurer:
- Vincent Coe (D)
- Trav Robertson Jr. (D)
Comptroller General:
- Tiffany Boozer (D)
- Bruce K. Cole (D)
State Superintendent of Education:
- Lisa Ellis (D)
- Sylvia Wright (D)
U.S. Senate:
- Lindsey Graham (R)
- Mark Lynch (R)
- Darius L. Mitchell (R)
- Pat Hermann (R)
- Thomas Keith Dismukes (R)
- Calvin Cowen (R)
- Annie Andrews (D)
- Brandon P. Brown (D)
U.S. House of Representatives District 1:
- Dan Brown (R)
- Jay Byars (R)
- Jenny Costa Honeycutt (R)
- Logan Cunningham (R)
- Tyler Dykes (R)
- Kendal Ludden (R)
- Sam McCown (R)
- Alex Pelbath (R)
- Cindy Wagers Riley (R)
- Mark Sanford (R)
- Mark Smith (R)
- Mac Deford (D)
- Max Diaz (D)
- Nancy Lacore (D)
- Mayra Rivera-Vazquez (D)
- Ben Frasier (D)
- Matthew Fulmer (D)
- Francina Dantzler (D)
READ MORE | Voters look to narrow crowded field as eyes turn toward Rep. Mace’s replacement
U.S. House of Representatives District 6:
- Maurice Washington (R)
- John Peterson (R)
- James E Jim Clyburn (D)
- Frederick R Goodwin (D)
