Gary_Votour
2022 South Carolina gubernatorial election
Election for Governor of South Carolina
The 2022 South Carolina gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican Governor Henry McMaster ran for re-election for a second full term in office and secured the Republican nomination in the June 14 primary. Joe Cunningham, former United States Representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district, was the Democratic nominee.[1] McMaster won the general election with 58% of the vote — a larger margin than in 2018.
Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
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| Turnout | 50.9%  | |||||||||||||||||||
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 County results Congressional district results Precinct resultsMcMaster: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Cunningham: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 50% No data | ||||||||||||||||||||
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McMaster became the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to win Calhoun County since 1994 and the first to win Clarendon County and Dillon County since 1990. This election marks the largest gubernatorial victory in the state since 1990, when incumbent Republican Carroll Campbell won his re-election bid by a margin of 41.7%.
Candidates
Declared
- Henry McMaster, incumbent governor[2]
- Running mate: Pamela Evette, incumbent lieutenant governor[3]
Eliminated in primary
- Harrison "Trucker Bob" Musselwhite, trucker and Chairman of Legislate Liaison Committee for the Greenville County Republican Party[4]
- Running mate: Zoe Warren, filmmaker and editor-at-large for The Standard SC[5]
Withdrew
Declined
- A. Shane Massey, Majority Leader of the South Carolina Senate[9]
- Tim Scott, U.S. senator[10] (ran for re-election)[11]
- Katrina Shealy, state senator[12][7]
- John Warren, Greenville businessman and candidate for governor in 2018[13][14]
Endorsements
Henry McMaster
- Executive Branch officials
- Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Secretary of State (2018–2021), former Director of the CIA (2017–2018), and former U.S. representative from Kansas's 4th congressional district (2011–2017)[15]
- Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)[16]
- U.S. senators
- Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (2013–present)[17]
- Governors
- Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota (2019–present)[18]
- Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa (2017–present)[19]
- Individuals
- Drew McKissick, Chair of the South Carolina Republican Party (2017–present)[20]
- Organizations
- Republican Governors Association (RGA)[21]
- Susan B. Anthony List, national anti-abortion nonprofit and political action group[22]
Results
McMaster
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90-100%
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Henry McMaster (incumbent) | 306,555 | 83.0% | |
| Republican | Harrison Musselwhite | 61,545 | 16.7% | |
| Total votes | 367,689 | 100% | ||
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Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Carlton Boyd[7]
- Mia McLeod, state senator[24]
- Calvin "CJ Mack" McMillan, singer[7]
- William H. Williams, former postmaster, veteran and candidate for South Carolina's 7th congressional district in 2020[7][8]
Withdrew
Declined
- Stephen K. Benjamin, former mayor of Columbia[27]
- Mandy Powers Norrell, former state representative and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018[24] (endorsed McLeod)[28]
- Todd Rutherford, Minority Leader of the South Carolina House of Representatives[24][7]
Endorsements
Joe Cunningham
- U.S. senators
- Doug Jones, former U.S. senator from Alabama (2018–2021)[29]
- State representatives
- Todd Rutherford, Minority Leader of the South Carolina House of Representatives (2013–present)[30]
- Local officials
- Kylon Middleton, Charleston County councilor[31]
- Organizations
- Newspapers
- Charleston City Paper[33]
Mia McLeod
- State legislators
- Marlon Kimpson, state senator (2013–present)[34]
- Mandy Powers Norrell, former state representative (2012–2020) and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018[28]
- Individuals
- Amanda Bonfiglio Cunningham, ex-wife of Joe Cunningham[35]
Results
Cunningham
- 30-40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
McLeod
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 70–80%
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Cunningham | 102,315 | 56.5% | |
| Democratic | Mia McLeod | 56,084 | 31.0% | |
| Democratic | Carlton Boyd | 9,526 | 5.3% | |
| Democratic | William Williams | 6,746 | 3.7% | |
| Democratic | Calvin McMillan | 6,260 | 3.5% | |
| Total votes | 180,931 | 100% | ||
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Lieutenant governor selection
After winning the primary, on July 18, Cunningham released a shortlist of potential running mates.[36] He announced Tally Parham Casey as his running mate on August 1.[37]
Chosen as running mate
- Tally Parham Casey, law firm CEO and former South Carolina Air National Guard fighter pilot[36][37]
Made shortlist
- Rosalyn Glenn, financial planner and nominee for South Carolina State Treasurer in 2018[36]
- Jermaine Johnson, state representative[36]
- Kimberly Johnson, state representative[36]
- Meghan Smith, Spartanburg city councilor[36]
- Ed Sutton, real estate agent and U.S. Air Force pilot[36]
- Spencer Wetmore, state representative[36]
- Kathryn Whitaker, law firm chief marketing officer[36]
Declined
- Mia McLeod, state senator and runner-up in the gubernatorial primary[36]
- Teresa Wilson, Columbia city manager[36]
Candidates
Declared
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | Jokie Beckett Jr. | |||
| Independence | Michael Copeland | |||
| Total votes | ||||
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Candidates
Declared
- Morgan Bruce Reeves (Libertarian), United Citizens and Green nominee for governor in 2010 and United Citizens nominee in 2014[7][8][38]
- Jessica Ethridge, vice chair of South Carolina Libertarian Party
- Gary Votour (Labor), healthcare advocate and retired GIS mapper.[26][7] Labor Party candidates' names were kept off the ballot after court ruling.[39][40]
- Running mate: Harold Geddings III, candidate for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district in 2014[26]
Predictions
More information Source, Ranking ...
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[41] | Solid R | July 26, 2022 |
| Inside Elections[42] | Solid R | July 22, 2022 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[43] | Safe R | June 29, 2022 |
| Politico[44] | Solid R | April 1, 2022 |
| RCP[45] | Safe R | June 8, 2022 |
| Fox News[46] | Solid R | May 12, 2022 |
| 538[47] | Solid R | July 31, 2022 |
| Elections Daily[48] | Safe R | November 7, 2022 |
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Endorsements
Henry McMaster (R)
- Executive Branch officials
- Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States (2017–2021)[49]
- Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Secretary of State (2018–2021), former director of the CIA (2017–2018), and former U.S. representative from Kansas's 4th congressional district (2011–2017)[15]
- Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)[16]
- U.S. senators
- Rick Santorum, U.S. senator from Pennsylvania (1995–2007) and candidate for president in 2012[49]
- Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (2013–present)[17]
- U.S. representatives
- Tom Rice, U.S. representative from South Carolina's 7th congressional district (2013–2023)[49]
- Joe Wilson, U.S. representative from South Carolina's 2nd congressional district (2001–present)[49]
- Governors
- Mike Huckabee, 44th governor of Arkansas (1996–2007) and candidate for President in 2008 and 2016[49]
- Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota (2019–present)[18]
- Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa (2017–present)[19]
- Statewide officials
- Mark Hammond, Secretary of State of South Carolina (2003–present)[49]
- Robert Livingston, South Carolina Adjutant General (2011–2019)[49]
- Hugh Weathers, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture (2005–present)[49]
- State legislators
- Sheriffs
- 16 county sheriffs[49]
- Local officials
- Brenda Bethune, Mayor of Myrtle Beach (2018–present)[49]
- Will Haynie, Mayor of Mount Pleasant (2017–present)[49]
- Steve MacDougall, Mayor of Lexington (2013–present)[49]
- Robert McLean, Mayor of Clinton (2011–present)[49]
- Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor of Columbia (2022–present)[50]
- Individuals
- Drew McKissick, Chair of the South Carolina Republican Party (2017–present)[20]
- Organizations
- National Federation of Independent Business[51]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[52][49]
- Republican Governors Association (RGA)[21]
- South Carolina Citizens for Life[49]
- Susan B. Anthony List[22]
Joe Cunningham (D)
- U.S. senators
- Doug Jones, former U.S. senator from Alabama (2018–2021)[29]
- State representatives
- Todd Rutherford, Minority Leader of the South Carolina House of Representatives (2013–present)[30]
- Deon Tedder, state representative (2020–present)[53]
- Local officials
- Kylon Middleton, Charleston County councilor[31]
- Joseph P. Riley Jr., former mayor of Charleston (1975–2016)[54]
- Organizations
Polling
- Graphical summary
 | Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
Henry McMaster (R) |
Joe Cunningham (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echelon Insights (R) | August 24 – September 7, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 50% | 44% | 6% | 0% |
| Impact Research (D)[upper-alpha 1] | August 24–30, 2022 | 700 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 49% | 42% | 4%[lower-alpha 2] | 5% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R) | August 25–28, 2022 | 1,071 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 51% | 43% | 2%[lower-alpha 3] | 4% |
| Blueprint Polling (D) | August 24–25, 2022 | 721 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 50% | 39% | 1% | 9% |
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Debates and forums
More information No., Date ...
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Democratic | Libertarian | Labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant N Non-invitee | ||||||||
| Henry McMaster | Joe Cunningham | Morgan Reeves | Gary Votour | |||||
| [58] | Oct 26, 2022 | South Carolina ETV | Gavin Jackson Andy Shain |
P | P | N | N | |
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
|
988,501 | 58.04% | +4.08% | |
| Democratic |
|
692,691 | 40.67% | −5.25% | |
| Libertarian |
|
20,826 | 1.22% | N/A | |
| Write-in | 1,174 | 0.07% | |||
| Total votes | 1,703,192 | 100% | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 1,718,626 | 50.86% | |||
| Registered electors | 3,379,089 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
Close
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Calhoun (largest city: St. Matthews)
- Clarendon (largest city: Manning)
- Dillon (largest city: Dillon)
- Jasper (largest city: Hardeeville)
- Partisan clients
- "South Carolina Primary Results". CNNpolitics. CNN. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- Byrd, Caitlyn. "He's in: Democrat Joe Cunningham, former congressman, to announce run for SC governor". The State. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- "Meet Pamela". henrymcmaster.com. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- Folks, Will (December 1, 2021). "'Trucker Bob' Running For Governor Of South Carolina". FITSNews. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- Folks, Will (December 1, 2021). "'Trucker Bob' Running For Governor Of South Carolina". FITSNews. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- Folks, Will (July 27, 2021). "Former Town Councilman From Chester County To Campaign For Governor Of South Carolina". FITSNews. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- Gale, Heather; Parkhouse, Emma (March 30, 2022). "Know Your Candidate: A brief look at who is running for the upcoming 2022 election season". ABC 15 News. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- "South Carolina". Politics1. March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- Folks, Will (July 27, 2021). "South Carolina Senate Majority Leader On 2022 Gubernatorial Bid: 'I'm Not Running'". Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- "A South Carolina Senatorial Shakeup?". FITSNews. June 25, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- Frazin, Rachel (August 9, 2019). "GOP Sen. Tim Scott says if he runs in 2022 it will be his last race". The Hill. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- Folks, Will (September 8, 2021). "South Carolina Senator Katrina Shealy Mulls 2022 GOP Gubernatorial Bid". FITSNews. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
- Shain, Andy (May 19, 2019). "SC Gov. Henry McMaster already gearing up for 2022 re-election bid". The Post and Courier. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- Folks, Will (January 6, 2022). "John Warren Won't Run For Governor Of South Carolina In 2022". FITSNews. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- Joseph Bustos (July 30, 2021). "Mike Pompeo endorses SC Gov. McMaster's reelection bid". The State.
- McFall, Caitlin (March 5, 2021). "Trump issues GOP endorsements in latest sign he is reentering political arena". Fox News. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- Kinnard, Meg (October 12, 2021). "SC's Tim Scott Gives Early Nod to McMaster in Governor Race". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- Bustos, Joseph (August 24, 2021). "Here's what potential presidential candidate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said in SC". The State. Anderson, S.C. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- Jamie Lovegrove (April 9, 2021). "Iowa governor to stump for McMaster's SC reelection campaign in sign of RGA support". Post and Courier.
- Thomas Novelly (August 21, 2021). "SC Democrat Joe Cunningham tells McMaster to 'step aside' in first TV ad in governor's race". The Post and Courier.
- Andy Shain (April 11, 2021). "McMaster campaign fundraising rises as COVID eases. Governor still has no major foes". The Post and Courier.
- Lexi Lonas (August 10, 2021). "Susan B. Anthony List backing SC governor in first 2022 endorsement". The Hill.
- Bean, Riley (April 26, 2021). "Former Congressman Cunningham officially announces run for governor". WCSC 5. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- "Sen. McLeod to run for SC governor; A win would make her the first Black female governor in U.S. history". The Associated Press. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- Byrd, Caitlin; Derickson, Cailyn (April 22, 2021). "SC Democrat Joe Cunningham files preliminary paperwork for possible run for governor". The State. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
Democratic activist Gary Votour of Columbia declared a bid earlier this year.
- "Gary4GovSC". Gary4GovSC. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- "Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin won't run again, will focus on family, law firm". wltx.com. February 4, 2021.
- Lovegrove, Jamie. "State Sen. Mia McLeod launches 2022 Democratic bid for SC governor". Post and Courier. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- Garrison, Steve. "Former Alabama U.S. Senator Doug Jones rallies local Dems at Blue Jamboree". Post and Courier.
- Adcox, Seanna (June 7, 2022). "Endorsement in SC governor's race turns into Democrat vs. Democrat squabble". The Post and Courier. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- Byrd, Cailtin (April 28, 2021). "Joe Cunningham wants to change SC Democrats' gubernatorial chances. But can he?". The State. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- Schechter, Maayan (June 14, 2021). "National pro-science PAC endorses Democrat Joe Cunningham's 2022 SC governor bid". The State. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- "Our View: Elect Joe Cunningham to be South Carolina's next governor". Charleston City Paper. October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- "Sen. Kimpson endorses Mia McLeod in SC governor's race". WOLO-TV. June 3, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
- "Ex-wife of Joe Cunningham endorses Mia McLeod for governor". June 13, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
- "Dem. Lieutenant Governor Selection". thestate. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- Folks, Will (August 12, 2014). ""Pharaoh" Is On The Ballot Again". FITSNews. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ""Labor Party Argues Whether to Put Candidates on SC Ballot"". US News and World Report. Associated Press. August 5, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ""SC Democrats sue to keep Labor Party candidates off ballot"". WPDE-TV. Associated Press. August 13, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- "South Carolina Governor Race 2022". Politico. April 1, 2022.
- "2022 Governor Races". RCP. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- "2022 Election Forecast". Fox News. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- "2022 Election Forecast". FiveThirtyEight. June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- Szymanski, Joe (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Unveils Final 2022 Midterm Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- "Endorsements - Henry McMaster for Governor". henrymcmaster.com. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- "Governor McMaster kicks off Early Voting with rally". October 24, 2022.
- "Small business group backs McMaster for governor". WIS News 10. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- "South Carolina Grades & Endorsements". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Cunningham to hold campaign rally in Charleston on Monday". August 20, 2022.
- "Joe Riley endorses Joe Cunningham in SC governor's race". June 2, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
- "Joe Cunningham's Ratings and Endorsements". justfacts.votesnart.org. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- "South Carolina Endorsed Candidates". Planned Parenthood. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- Gatlin, James (September 27, 2022). "Joe Cunningham accepts South Carolina Education Association Endorsement in Governor's Race". WACH FOX 57. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- Official campaign websites