State Rep. Johnson wins Democratic nomination for governor, according to AP call
With the least amount of money to spend, but with party activists behind him, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, the charismatic lawmaker from Hopkins, is the Democratic nominee for governor, according to Tuesday’s unofficial primary results.
Johnson, who played basketball for the College of Charleston and has been known to go viral with his floor speeches, won the Democratic nomination outright beating two wealthy candidates with the ability to self fund his campaign.
The Associated Press called the race for Johnson at 8:46 p.m. and projected his victory over Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod and Greenville businessman Billy Webster.
Webster, who was a late entrant into the race, and McLeod each put in more than $2 million of their own money into the campaign.
When Johnson arrived at his election night party, he was instantly brought to tears by the support he received at the door.
“I want y’all to know that this victory here this evening does not belong to me alone. It belongs to everybody in this room. Everybody standing behind me right here,” Johnson said, turning to his campaign volunteers who stand on stage behind him. “I thank you. I thank you for standing with me when it was not popular to do so, standing with me when they said I wasn’t electable. Thank you for standing with me when they said you need to be a multimillionaire or a billionaire.”
In March, during the filing, there was speculation Johnson would drop out after members of the party questioned he could win or raise the necessary money to run a statewide campaign. But he remained defiant and stayed in the race.
Johnson said that he appreciated his opponents, Webster and Mullins for their work and for “making me a better candidate.”
Webster in a statement congratulated Johnson on his victory.
“He ran a hard race and earned it,” Webster said. “South Carolinians are ready for change. The issues that brought me into this race — health care, affordability, our roads, our schools — don’t go away tonight. I urge every Democrat in this state to unite behind our nominee and fight like hell to end nearly three decades of one-party rule in November.”
McLeod also in a news release conceded the race.
“Tens of thousands of South Carolinians see the broken system and crave change,” McLeod said. “While I’m disappointed in tonight’s results, I congratulate Jermaine and encourage him to pick up the mantle and take on the established interests that are holding our state back.”
Johnson, who has served three terms in the state House, defeated them despite not having the financial resources they could muster and not having most of the deep-pocketed donors behind him.
Johnson, however, had the party activists supporting him and had the ability to excite crowds at Democratic gatherings.
He now moves onto the general election where he will face whoever wins the Republican nomination, which is expected to go to a runoff.
Spirits were high at the St. John Baptist Church in Hopkins as supporters prepared for Johnson to make his entrance at the party. Children were playing together in the church where the Johnson’s watch party is being held, filled with families and supporters decked out in campaign gear. Attendees are dancing with each other to “The Electric Boogie” and “I Want to Dance with Somebody.”
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 9:01 PM with the headline "State Rep. Johnson wins Democratic nomination for governor, according to AP call."
